According to sources, the Delhi government has been pressing for some new routes which were never a part of the original plan. The Delhi Chief Minister, Sahib Singh Verma and transport minister, Rajendra Gupta are reportedly keen on a route from Patel Nagar to Najafgarh and Tri Nagar to Barwala. Earlier there had been speculation about a proposed station at Mundka, the Chief Minister's village Senior officials of the DMRC had a meeting with Sahib Singh Verma and Rajendra Gupta where they were told that the Delhi government wanted that the work should begin on this section first. DMRC officials opposed the suggestion.

``How can we abide by what they want. There was a proper feasibility study done by rites before the routes were identified and now it cannot be changed at someone's whims and fancies,'' said an official.

Officials say that the DMRC can not take decision on its own, as it will have to seek approval of Ministry of Urban Development besides the OECF of Japan which is financing 56 per cent of the total cost will have objections, and they can not simply change the plans to please the Delhi government.

However, sources close to Sahib Singh say that the Chief Minister was under tremendous pressure from party MLAs who want the project to go through their constituency.

``Elections are round the corner and every MLA wants to show that they have done enough work in the constituency, to have the MRTS passing through the constituency would be a big achievement'' the source added.

Officials at the DMRC seem to be worried by the prospect of another bottleneck. They say that the cost of the project has already gone way above the estimated cost of Rs 4,860 crore and their problems will multiply if there are bottlenecks like these on the way. The construction in the Shahadra to Tees Hazari corridor was to begin by the end of the year, which might not be possible if the problems continue, they say.

Delhi Chief Minister, Sahib Singh Verma was not available for his comments. However, Delhi's Transport Minister, Rajendra Gupta admitted that the proposal of route modification was there. ``We have a proposal for some new routes, but we have told the DMRC that there is no point duplicating the routes where tracks are there, and we plan to revive the existing ring railway network,'' said he.

``What ever we do some people see political motive in it,'' added he.

However, officials at the DMRC say that it wouldn't be possible. ``This is essentially a stand-alone project independent of ministry of Railways and it is not possible to integrate it with the Railway network,'' said an official.

However, the DMRC spokesperson refused to comment on the controversy. ``The route that we have identified is only after a complete study on its feasibility, Delhi government has suggested some routes, but we have to stick to our existing plans,'' said he.