Not inviting Kejriwal to metro line inauguration insult to public: AAP

Delhi's ruling AAP on Monday criticised the DMRC for "insulting" the city's people by not inviting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to the inauguration of Delhi Metro's Magenta Line, saying this was done to stop him from making a demand to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce fares.

"Not inviting Delhi Chief Minister in the inauguration of Delhi Metro is the insult of citizens of Delhi. The only reason of not sending invitation to Kejriwal was to stop him of making demand from PM to reduce recently hiked Delhi Metro fare," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted.

The senior Aam Aadmi Party leader also said those who "hiked Delhi Metro fares fear Kejriwal".

Sisodia's remarks came after the inauguration function of the 12.64 km long Botanical Garden-Janakpuri West section of Magenta Line in which the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) invited the Prime Minister and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minster Yogi Adityanath but ignored Kejriwal.

The stretch, which will ferry approximately 3.6 lakh commuters every day and help connect Uttar Pradesh's Noida with Faridabad in Haryana through the Violet Line (Escorts Mujesar-Kashmere Gate), was inaugurated by the Prime Minister around 5 p.m. on Monday.

AAP leader Dilip Kumar Pandey also slammed the DMRC, saying "seven of nine stations of Magenta Line falls in Delhi and half of the money is paid by the Delhi government to the Delhi Metro, but the inauguration invitation was sent to PM, Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana".

"The problem is with Delhi man (Arvind Kejriwal). Everything is accepted but don't rob Delhi people. Take credit but reduce fare."

Delhi Metro fares were hiked for the second time this year as proposed by the Fare Fixation Committee.

As per the new fare, commuters who paid Rs 15 for travelling 2-5 km are now paying Rs 20. And, the maximum fare has been increased to Rs 60 as compared to previous rate of Rs 50.

The hike was vociferously opposed by the Delhi government which accused the transporter of inefficiency and demanded that hike be withheld.

--IANS

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