Delhi Metro: Kejriwal govt warns DMRC chief over fare hike

Delhi Transport minister said that the AAP govt was 'strongly' opposed to the proposed Metro fare hike from Oct 10

Just four days before the scheduled Metro fare hike, the Delhi government today warned Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief Mangu Singh of strict action if it went ahead with the proposed increase in ticket prices.

In his letter to Singh, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was "strongly" opposed to the proposed Metro fare hike from October 10.

The development comes a day after Gahlot directed Chief Secretary M M Kutty to convene a meeting of all government-nominated directors on the DMRC board to aggressively oppose the hike at the board meeting.

The minister had said as the DMRC managing director was nominated by the state government in consultation with the Centre, as per rules, he was expected to put forward the view of the city government at its board meeting.

"If at any time, it is felt by the government of National Capital Territory (NCT) that its views are not being presented in the right perspective, the government shall be constrained to act as per the prevalent and applicable rules and regulations," Gahlot said.

The proposed increase in Metro ticket prices, within five months of the previous hike, is scheduled to be effective from October 10.

The AAP government is opposed to the hike by the DMRC. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has termed the move "anti-people".

Delhi Metro, which has been operational in the national capital since 2002, carries around 27 lakh passengers every day. It has become the lifeline of the city with a punctuality of over 99.7 per cent.