AAP government asks DMRC to put off proposed fare hike

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party government on Thursday directed the Delhi Metro to “put on hold” an impending fare hike till the transport department completes its inquiry to ascertain whether the view of the city administration was considered while taking the decision.

Terming the fare hike as “anti-people,” Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal directed transport minister Kailash Gahlot to find a solution within a week to prevent its implementation. The direction came after Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief Mangu Singh met Mr Gahlot over the fare hike, which will come into effect from October. 

This would be the second hike in metro fares this year. The fares were last revised in May. From October, ticket prices will go up by a maximum of `10.

In his order, the transport minister said the proposed hike in metro fares was likely to affect a large number of commuters in Delhi and that the government was completely against any such move.

“It is not clear as to whether the stand of the Delhi government was considered by the Fare Fixation Committee. The government is in the process of examining the entire matter. In the meanwhile, the Delhi Metro is directed to put on hold any further hike till the Delhi government completes its inquiry and forms an opinion on this subject,” Mr Gahlot said in an order. When asked, the DMRC declined to comment on the issue.

Talking to reporters, Mr Gahlot said that at the meeting with the DMRC chief, he examined all files related to the fare hike. The minister said there were five members each from the Centre and the Delhi government in the Board of Metro and that the chief secretary has been given a copy of the order.

Hours after CM Kejriwal directed Mr Gehlot to look into the matter, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari too urged the DMRC management to review its decision for fare hike.