New Delhi: In a setback to the state government, Delhi Metro has expressed its inability to construct the proposed four-lane Mahipalpur tunnel project at least for now, saying its "hands are already full".

The Metro cited its busy schedule in completing several ongoing projects and said it is not possible to meet the target deadline of 2010 for construction of the project connecting Vasant Kunj and IGI airport, sources told PTI here.

The tunnel, when constructed, will bypass the traffic intersection at Mahipalpur, taking the high vehicular load off the expressway and help to decongest the existing links to the airport.

Confirming the Delhi Metro's stand, Chief Secretary Rajesh Mehta said, "yes, they have communicated to us that since most of its various projects are either on the completion stage or recently started it will be difficult for them to meet the deadline of two years for tunnel construction.

"However, the metro has not refused the job but is concerned of the time-frame for the project as new machines and technology will be required for constructing tunnel and that it is not possible to make them available in such a short duration," Mehta clarified.

"We are considering the matter," he said.

The Government is keen to implement the fastest and hassle-free links to the airport for private vehicles below the surface to ease traffic particularly during the prestigious Commonwealth Games when thousands of domestic as well foreign tourists are all set to visit the national capital.
Source : PTI