Centre clears Rs 1,647 crore for Delhi Metro, Barapulla road and EV projects

The Centre has approved Rs 1,647 crore for 28 infrastructure projects in Delhi, including Metro corridors, the Barapulla elevated road and EV charging stations, chief minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday.

According to a Delhi CMO statement, the Centre has also approved an additional Rs 756 crore as an incentive in recognition of the Delhi government’s efforts to increase capital expenditure.

Gupta said the Centre has approved all 28 major capital projects proposed by the Delhi government under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.

The approved projects include Delhi Metro rail projects, the Barapulla elevated corridor, the Karawal Nagar flyover, EV charging stations at DTC depots and several other key road infrastructure projects.

The SASCI fund is a Central government scheme under which States and Union Territories receive interest-free financial assistance for infrastructure projects. The scheme is not limited to providing financial support but also offers financial incentives to encourage strategic reforms and increased capital investment by States.

Gupta said her government had prioritised the scheme from the very beginning and had consistently urged the Central government to approve Delhi’s infrastructure projects under it.

She said the Delhi government’s Finance Department must coordinate with the relevant departments for the approved projects to ensure swift construction progress so that Delhi residents can benefit as soon as possible.