SC Warns To Cut Delhi's Ad Budget If RRTS Funds Not Allocated By November 28

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rebuked the Delhi government for its failure to fulfil its commitment to allocate funds for the Regional Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) Project. The court has ordered the government to allocate the share of the project within a week, by November 28.

This stern directive comes after the court had granted a two-month extension to the Delhi government in July to clear dues related to the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System. The court warned that if the allocation is not made within the specified timeframe, the funds would be redirected from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's advertisement budget for the current year, which amounts to Rs 550 crore.

The Supreme Court emphasised the need for the Delhi government to contribute to infrastructure projects, questioning, "If the Delhi government can spend Rs 1,100 crore on advertisements in three years, why can't it contribute to infrastructure projects?"

The court specifically ordered the Delhi government to pay the remaining Rs 415 crore for the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System within the stipulated week. The next hearing for the case is scheduled for November 28.

What is RRTS?

The Regional Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) is a project to make faster train connections between Delhi and Meerut. Recently, a 17-kilometer part of it was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 20. The project, overseen by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation, involves the construction of an 82.15 km corridor between Delhi and Meerut. The RRTS trains, designed akin to conventional metro trains, boast passenger-centric amenities such as luggage carriers and miniature screens within the coaches.

The entire Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS, spanning 82.15 km, is projected to achieve full operational functionality by June 2025.