NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Delhi government is exploring every option to stop Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to increase fare scheduled for next week. While the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) has written a letter to DMRC asking showing ‘disappointment,’ Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed chief secretary MM Kutty to call emergency board meeting with Delhi government representatives on the fare issue with DMRC Board on Tuesday evening.
“The Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to apprise the DMRC Board about the notice for convening an emergency DMRC Board meeting, on the demand of Delhi government,” Delhi government said.
“It is beyond any reasonable understanding as to how a 100 % fare hike has been recommended by the DMRC in 5-21 km travel distance, in which there is maximum Metro ridership, and 50 % of this hike has already been implemented in May. DMRC’s own data shows that the fare hike in May resulted in a decrease in ridership by 5% in the month of June 2017; while in the same month in the last two years the ridership had gone up by 8 % and 9 % respectively,” Delhi government added.
On the other side, AAP party MLA on Tuesday met with DMRC officials and handed over a letter asking them not to increase the fare. “We are deeply disappointed at the DMRC decision of going ahead with the second fare hike, without even bothering to take into account the views of the elected government of Delhi and the elected representatives,” the letter reads.