Letters: Metro derailed

Apropos "Bringing Delhi Metro up to speed" (February 21), undoubtedly the credit for completing first few phases of Delhi Metro Rail projects on time and ahead of schedule goes solely to former Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief E Sreedharan, whose execution capabilities were legendary to say the least. DMRC became the benchmark for infrastructure projects in the country. So given this backdrop, it is indeed sad that completion of the third phase of Delhi Metro has been delayed by as much as a year, which may be routine in case of other infrastructure projects.

Considering that the Delhi government is at loggerheads with the Centre on various issues and their unhealthy relationship, DMRC would be the sufferer. So, although the suggestion made by the writer is completely out of the box, it looks like the only way out for DMRC to be on track again. We all know that a year's delay in an infrastructure project is not considered as much of an issue, so no state or central government would bother to correct this lapse for DMRC. And with politics prevailing over economics most of the time, there will be too much pressure on DMRC to not increase fare. But ultimately both the Delhi government and the Centre must not forget that Delhi Metro is the best public transportation the national capital has. The consumer needs to pay accordingly and would not mind a 20-30 per cent increase in fares. Ultimately, DMRC has to make business sense.

Bal Govind Noida

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