Ballabgarh Metro Rail won’t open this Diwali

Jendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, October 10

The 3.2-km-long stretch of the Metro Rail from Escorts-Mujesar station here to Ballabgarh is unlikely to open before Diwali, as speculated earlier.

It may be delayed till mid-December due to hassles regarding allotment of parking space at one of the stations and removal of some constructions located very close to the Metro rail line in Ballabgarh city.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) authorities have asked HUDA (HSVP) officials to hand over a patch of 2.5 acres situated opposite the NCB (Sant Surdass) Metro station for the construction of the parking lot of the station.

The spot located across National Highway-2 (western side) is presently occupied by 250 shanties and the place is known as Azad Nagar.

Though an attempt was made to clear the constructions here, it is reported that the officials concerned were directed to rehabilitate the residents of this locality in Ashiana housing scheme before taking any action.

“The operation of the Ballabgarh Metro will not be possible before the completion of the work on every segment which includes the construction of the parking lot at the NCB station,” said a DMRC official on condition of anonymity. Claiming that finishing work on the two stations had been going on and was expected to be over in November, he said no date has been fixed for its opening so far.

“We have invited applications from the residents for getting them shifted to the Ashiana scheme where they will get flats constructed by HUDA,” said Estate Officer, HUDA, Amardeep Jain.

He said the land would be handed over to the DMRC as soon as the residents are shifted. The removal of some constructions standing very close to the Metro line in Ballabgarh city is still to be taken up.

The trial run of the Rs 570 crore project, launched in May 2015, was conducted on August 24. The stretch has two stations — NCB and Ballabgarh.

Major cause of delay 

• The DMRC authorities have asked HUDA (HSVP) officials to hand over a patch of 2.5 acres situated opposite the NCB (Sant Surdass) Metro station for the construction of the parking lot of the station
• The spot, located across National Highway-2 (western side), is presently occupied by 250 shanties and the place is known as Azad Nagar 
• Though an attempt was made to clear the constructions here, it is reported that the officials concerned were directed to rehabilitate the residents of this locality in Ashiana housing scheme before taking any action