Protests by residents halt Trilokpuri Metro station work under Phase-III

The construction of the Trilokpuri Metro station under Phase-III expansion has hit a major hurdle over the relocation of residents of slum clusters.

The proposed station on the Mukundpur-Yamuna Vihar corridor has been in a stalemate for the past five months, as 160 housing blocks will have to be demolished to make way for the construction of the viaduct of the station.

This had caused residents to protest against the existing alignment of the Trilokpuri station, sources said.

The Residents' Welfare Association (RWA) here has sought the intervention of the Chief Minister in the matter. Their protest had led to the suspension of construction work here.

On May 5, the RWA wrote to Sheila Dikshit requesting her to instruct Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to look at an alternative alignment for the station. They said the viaducts will raze 160 residential blocks, a mosque and and two parks in the locality.

Dikshit directed Principal Secretary to intervene and resolve the matter. In the meeting, the DMRC was instructed to alter the alignment to prevent demolition of the structures. The meeting was also attended by the area MP Sandeep Dikshit, Sheila Dikshit's son, and MLA Sunil Kumar.

"A land measuring 2,523.31 sqm is required to construct the viaduct of the station. As some slum clusters are coming in this area, we have to relocate the residents. We did look at changing the alignment, but an alternative alignment is technically not feasible," Jitendra Tyagi, Director (Works), DMRC, said.

Nearly ten meetings have been convened since June under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary, but no solution has been worked out. Officials said due to the ongoing dispute, the contract for the construction of the Metro station has not be awarded.

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