[Delhi-Meerut rapid rail] If ₹1,100 crore can be spent on ads in 3 years, then State can finance infra projects too: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday pulled up the Delhi government for the delay in implementing the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) project and not contributing its share of funds for the project..A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia even said that if the Aam Aadmi Party government could allocate ₹1,100 crore towards advertising over the past three years, it could allocate finances for infrastructure projects."If ₹1100 crore can be spent on ads in the last three years, certainly infrastructure projects can be financed," the bench remarked.It, therefore, directed the State government to pay the overdue amount towards the project within two months.The Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) is a semi-high-speed rail corridor that is currently being constructed. This corridor will connect the cities of Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut. It is one of the three rapid rail corridors planned under Phase I of the RapidX project.The Supreme Court had earlier this month criticised the Delhi government over the delay contributing its share of funds towards the project. It had then directed the Delhi government to place on record a detailed account of its spending on advertisements in the past three financial years.This was after the Delhi government submitted that it does not have funds for the project.The same was then submitted pursuant to the Court order. .When the matter was taken up today, Senior Counsel for the Delhi government submitted that funds will be allotted.The Court noted the same in its order."Learned senior counsel fairly states that on his advice the State is agreed to make budgetary provisions for the projects in question in accordance with the schedule laid down as the schedule itself is spread over a period of time. We accept the statement and the State Government will remain bound by it while making the budgetary provisions. The over due amount, if any, will be be paid within two months," the Court ordered..[Read live coverage of hearing below].[Read order]