Need to bring down Delhi Metro fares: Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday called for exploring ways and means to bring down Delhi Metro fares.

Speak at the inauguration of Lajpat Nagar to Mayur Vihar Pocket-1 Section of Line-7 of the Pink Line, Sisodia said, "I think the fares of Delhi Metro are very high and need only commitment and acceptance to bring down the fares".

Terming the Delhi Metro as a marvel of engineering, Sisodia said, "When our engineers have made the impossible possible, the same way economic engineering should show how the fares could be brought down."

Stressing that commitment would help in lowering the metro fares, the Aam Aadmi Party leader said, "If we work with commitment and acceptance, then we would be able to find a solution to bringing down the fares".

Sisodia also said that before comparing the fares with those of other countries, one should see their basic per capita income.

"We need to take a decision on the fares on the basis of per capita income and the economy of Delhi," he said.

Delhi metro fares were raised twice in 2017.

The Delhi Minister also said that the metro services should be able to reach every person of the national capital.

Flagging off the 9.7 km line, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Development Hardeep Puri praised the DMRC for connecting the national capital with metro services.

He said that this year there was a record of operationalisation of 96 km of lines by the DMRC.

He said so far the metro has traversed 327 km with 236 metro station across Delhi.

Japanese Ambassador to India was also present at the event.

The metro service on this section will officially start at 4 pm today.