In a temporary relief to Mumbaikars, the Bombay high court on Thursday granted ad interim stay on the proposed decision to hike the fare of Mumbai Metro.
The division bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Gautam S Patel on Thursday while adjourning the matter for final hearing on January 29, observed that the issue is serious and involves interest of public at large and the court requires to give it final hearing before deciding the matter.
Before adjourning the matter the court asked MMOPL on what basis they increased the fare in the past when the fare hike was under challenge and matter was pending before the high court.
The bench was of the view that there is a need to test FFC report by court because it would impact the consumers’ pocket.
Senior council Aspy Chinoy on behalf of MMRDA had argued that the project was Mumbai Metro was awarded to this company as it had agreed to operate it without making profits for 8 years. He also alleged that now the company is doing business.
On the other MMOPL’s lawyer Prasad Dhakepalkar claimed that the company is not increasing fare to earn profit but to get operation cost.
The bench said that it would require some time to study the report filed by the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC). The court has granted stay while hearing a plea by Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority challenging Fare Fixation Committee report.
The Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd in November had announced a hike of Rs 5 in metro fares. The company had cited financial losses incurred by it the reason for this fare revision.
