New Delhi: The Centre has approved 28 infrastructure projects proposed by Delhi govt under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme.Worth Rs 1,647 crore in total, the sanctioned projects include Delhi Metro work aimed at strengthening the capital’s mass transit network, Barapulla Elevated Corridor, a flyover in Karawal Nagar, EV charging stations at Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) depots to support the expansion of the city’s electric public transport infrastructure and other road infrastructure projects, chief minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday.The Centre has also approved an additional incentive of Rs 756 crore in recognition of Delhi govt’s efforts to increase capital expenditure through its own resources, she said.The finance department has been tasked with coordinating with other departments to ensure timely implementation of the projects.Originally launched in 2015, Barapullah Phase-III, which will connect Mayur Vihar Phase-I in east Delhi to AIIMS in south Delhi and provide a signal-free stretch to commuters, faced nearly nine years of delays due to land acquisition disputes and pending environmental clearances. The revised target was to get it ready for inauguration by this June 30. This deadline, too, was missed, and the project was granted an extension. The authorities are now aiming for a mid-July opening once its final deck slab is cast.The Karawal Nagar flyover, which is expected to improve traffic movement in northeast Delhi, is part of a major infrastructural push to decongest the trans-Yamuna region and create a signal-free corridor from Wazirabad to UP border.Gupta said the projects will strengthen Delhi’s transport network, improve its road connectivity and bring substantial improvements to public amenities.The Union govt scheme provides interest-free financial assistance to states and Union territories for capital investment projects. Besides funding infrastructure work, the scheme also offers incentives to states that undertake reforms and increase capital expenditure.The chief minister said her govt prioritised securing approvals under the scheme and consistently pursued the proposals with the Centre. The approval of the projects reflects the Centre’s confidence in Delhi govt’s commitment to reforms, financial discipline and implementation capacity, she added.
