Delhi Metro Asks AAP Govt for ₹6,200 Crore to Fund Expansion and Cover Losses in FY25

As the AAP government in Delhi begins revising its budget for the financial year 2024-25, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has requested over ₹6,200 crore to cover its capital and revenue expenses, according to a report from Times of India (ToI).

In a letter to the Delhi transport department, DMRC said it needs ₹2,872 crore to pay off part of a loan taken from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for expanding the metro network. Additionally, over ₹2,000 crore is required to cover exchange rate fluctuations, which needs to be paid this year.

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This amount will also go towards completing the Phase 3 metro expansion and starting construction on the new Phase 4 corridors.

Officials noted that the Atishi-led government is responsible for providing ₹2,415 crore, as determined by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), to cover the revised costs of Phase 3. Out of this, DMRC has asked for ₹724.74 crore to be included in this year’s revised budget.

DMRC has also requested ₹400 crore for capital expenses to ensure smooth progress on the Phase 4 expansion. Earlier in October 2023, the agency asked the transport department for ₹1,772.86 crore in the 2024-25 budget, including ₹900 crore for capital costs and ₹822.86 crore to cover operating losses. However, the Delhi government only allocated ₹500 crore, which was released to DMRC.

In a letter to the transport secretary, DMRC emphasized that while funds for Phase 3 and Phase 4 projects can be provided in installments, the remaining JICA loan and exchange rate payments need to be released in full.

Additionally, DMRC has requested ₹1,645.72 crore from the Delhi government to cover operating losses from the 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years, which they propose should be paid in installments.