Delhi govt warns DMRC chief of action over fare hike

New Delhi, Oct 6 (PTI) Just four days before the scheduled Metro fare hike, the Delhi government today warned Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief Mangu Singh of strict action if it went ahead wi

New Delhi, Oct 6 (PTI) Just four days before the scheduled Metro fare hike, the Delhi government today warned Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief Mangu Singh of strict action if it went ahead with the proposed increase in ticket prices.

In his letter to Singh, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said the AAP government was “strongly” opposed to the proposed Metro fare hike from October 10.

The development comes a day after Gahlot directed Chief Secretary M M Kutty to convene a meeting of all government- nominated directors on the DMRC board to aggressively oppose the hike at the board meeting.

The minister had said as the DMRC managing director was nominated by the state government in consultation with the Centre, as per rules, he was expected to put forward the view of the city government in its board meeting.

“If at any time, it is felt by the government of National Capital Territory (NCT) that its views are not being presented in the right perspective, the government shall be constrained to act as per the prevalent and applicable rules and regulations,” Gahlot said.

The proposed increase in Metro ticket prices, within five months of the previous hike, is scheduled to be effective from October 10.

The Aam Aadmi Party government is opposed to the hike by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has termed the move “anti-people”.

Delhi Metro, which has been operational in the national capital since 2002, carries around 27 lakh passengers every day. It has become the lifeline of the city with a punctuality of over 99.7 per cent.

This is published unedited from the PTI feed.