Delhi government warns DMRC of ‘strict action’

New Delhi: Four days ahead of the scheduled Metro fare hike, the Delhi government on Friday warned the 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 Mr Singh, Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was “strongly” opposed to the proposed Metro fare hike.

The AAP has also warned of protests if the DMRC remains adamant at increasing the fares.

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

The minister said that 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 the 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,” Mr 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 AAP government is opposed to the hike by the DMRC. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has termed the move “anti-people”.

The 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.

The DMRC was formed in 1995 with equal equity participation of the Central government and the government of NCT of Delhi. Last week, Mr Kejriwal had asked Mr Gahlot to find, within a week, a way to stop the “anti-people” fare hike.

Mr Gahlot had met Mr Singh and asked that the proposed hike be put on hold till the Delhi government completes an inquiry in the matter. The DMRC defended its decision on the hike, saying that its input costs have gone up over the years and that the increase is at par with the Metro rails in other cities.

Notably, the Delhi Assembly met on Monday to discuss the proposed hike and pass a resolution against it.