Title - Issue of rapid rail: Sheila Dixit at loggerheads with LG

New Delhi: The issue of rapid rail link between Delhi-NCR has snowballed into a controversy as to whether the project would enter to Delhi or not. Governmental agency, United Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) set up under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Tejender Khanna, has given its nod to bring rapid rail to Delhi whereas, Delhi government run by Sheila Dixit objected to it saying that the state and wants to halt it outside the capital. According to Sources, when NCR planning board has sent the proposal to Delhi government to join the scheme, the government has raised objection by saying that Delhi will become overcrowded if the rapid rail will enter in the capital. Also, the project will not be profitable for generating revenue. When Singh came to know about the government’s stand, he ordered to raise the issue in the UTTIPEC meeting. Earlier, when the entire plan was investigated, it was found that Delhiites will not only get relief but the project will also be helpful in reducing the burden on transportation. The matter was taken into consideration in UTTIPEC’s meeting on Monday, where NCR planning board, Delhi government and Union Urban Development Ministry officials were also present. On the behalf of UTTIPEC, it was told that people coming from the cities of NCR can commute through the means of Metro and buses. Besides, Rapid rail link will provide better connectivity due to which people will prefer to reside in neighboring cities rather than moving towards the capital so it will also be helpful in reducing the burden of population on the capital.