RTI activist demands audit of Mumbai Metro

RTI activist Anil Galgali today demanded an audit of Mumbai Metro to bring before public the real picture about expenses incurred in its construction and operation.
He made the demand during his presentation before Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) that held its first meeting to decide the tariff structure of Mumbai Metro whose first phase was commissioned in June last year.
Galgali, along with other activists, has been demanding that the fares be kept at level fixed by State Government (between Rs 9 and 13 depending on distance).
However, the joint venture company operating the metro, of which Reliance Infrastructure is a part, has opposed the Government-fixed rates and demanded an upward revision.

"In the FFC meeting, I suggested a reading of a report on the other metros of the world. According to M/s Louis Berger Committee report, cost of construction never exceeded beyond Rs 150 to 200 crore per km (in other metro projects). But here in Mumbai this cost of construction has gone up to Rs 400 per km which gives enough scope of doubt.
"If an audit is conducted, I am sure it would expose the unnecessary expenses incurred and bring the real picture in front of the public," Galgali said.
The three-member FFC was constituted to determine metro tariff on Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor. Justice (retd) E Padmanabhan is Chairman of the pane, whose other members are former Maharashtra Chief Secretary Jayant Kumar Banthia and ex-Law Secretary T K Vishwanathan.