Rs 2,200 cr sought for Delhi Metro

A large number of ministries have demanded more funds.

The Urban Development Ministry has sought additional provision of over Rs 2,200 crore for the Delhi Metro's first phase in the Outcome Budget tabled in Parliament today.

While a gross budgetary support of Rs 507 crore has been provided this year, Delhi Metro will get another Rs 685 crore through internal and extra budgetary resources this year.

Another Rs 600 crore is to be made available for extension to Gurgaon and Noida while a proposal for Bangalore Metro through the vaibility gap funding route is also under consideration.

The document said a tentative provision of Rs 500 crore has been kept for urban transport under the National Urban Renewal Mission.

The heavy industry ministry has pointed out that Rs 1 crore has been provided for the revival and restructuring of public sector companies. The finance ministry, however, said Rs 400 crore is expected under the non-plan head this year.

The MHI also sought additional funds for Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd's long-pending coal gasification demonstration project, for which Rs 2 crore had been earmarked this year.

The urban development ministy has also complained of inadequate funds for the e-governance programme in municipalities for which a token provision of Rs 25 crore has been made this year.

The ministry of youth affairs and sports too demanded a "substantial upwards revision" in the allocation for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi for which the Centre has provided Rs 45.50 crore in the budget.

It said additional funds would be required to meet the organising committee's expenses, Sports Authority of India's preparation for the games and for infrastructure development.

The agriculture ministry has also said that the Rs 446 crore approved by the Cabinet Committee on Ecnomic Affairs for hilly areas under the National Horticulture Mission, with an outlay of Rs 645 crore, has not been included.

Also the cold chain programme operated by the National Horticulture Board may fall short of funds in the wake of good interest shown in the scheme.

The Centre has allocated Rs 70 crore to NHB this fiscal.

The Geological Survey of India's marine survey and mapping programme, for which Rs 41 crore has been allocated this year, could also suffer as the research vessel has outlived its life.

The mines ministry has, however, initiated action for replacement of the vessel.