‘ITO Skywalk planned, totally funded by Union Urban Affairs Ministry’

New Delhi: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Sunday said the Skywalk at ITO here was conceptualised, planned and totally funded by the housing and urban affairs ministry, a day after Delhi government alleged that it was not informed about the inauguration of the project.

The housing and urban affairs minister is set to inaugurate the ITO skywalk Monday. 

In a series of tweets, Puri said that he is surprised at the "despair" being expressed in certain quarters at not being invited for the inauguration of ITO Skywalk.

Puri, however, accused the AAP government of holding on to Metro Phase-IV since October'14 and Delhi-Meerut RRTS since Dec'16 despite repeated reminders. "...

These projects, primarily a state responsibility, are game changers in addressing congestion, pollution & accidents. Yet no commitment is being conveyed," he tweeted. 

Slamming the Delhi government, Puri in a tweet said, "No matter how hard you try to stall the progress of Delhi, we its resilient citizens will find a way forward". 

"Inaugurations will come & go Sirs, why hold them against innocent hardworking citizens who will benefit from these projects & from those you have delayed for long," he said. 

Yesterday, Delhi PWD Minister Satyendar Jain said that the Delhi government has not been informed by the Union government about the inaugural ceremony of the newly-constructed skywalk at ITO. 

Jain had also said these ceremonies, however, are "not important" for the AAP dispensation since the people of Delhi had elected the party leaders with a "historic mandate" in February 2015. 

In another tweet, Puri said, "When works were getting delayed after sanctions in April 2016 because of non-cooperation by AAP Govt, it was decided in Oct 2017 to fund all mobility projects fully by my Ministry, DDA or ITPO." 

The Union minister also alleged that the AAP government did not agree to give the project for additional loop at ISBT flyover on ring road to CPWD. 

"It decided to go ahead on its own in constructing flyovers at Metcalfe House & Majnu ka Tilla T-junctions at an estimated cost of Rs 320Cr," Puri said.