Fare hike necessary for Delhi Metro survival: Govt

Amid a stiff opposition from the Delhi government over the proposed fare hike of Delhi Metro, Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri today said the increase is required for its survival.
"You have to decongest the city. You have to use your margin of persuasion with state governments. Now in case of Delhi, I have been trying to work my very limited margin, with the chief Minister wants fares not be raised for Delhi Metro," he said here at the India Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
It was decided that fares of Delhi Metro would be increased in two installments as they had not gone up for eight years, he said.

"He (Delhi Chief Minister) thinks it should be deferred. Now how does world class asset like the Delhi Metro survive if it is not allowed to charge fares," the minister said.
"You have to build urban infrastructure...pressure of population, urbanisation is much faster in India," he added.
Delhi Metro, which has been operational in the capital since 2002, is at present carrying around 27 lakh passengers everyday, and has become the lifeline of the city with a punctuality of over 99.7 per cent.
Since 2009, there has been no increase in fare, whereas the input cost for the DMRC has increased by over 105 per cent in energy, 139 per cent in staff cost and by 213 per cent for repair and maintenance.