Centre to Kejriwal : Delhi Metro fare hike can't be put on hold

The Centre on Saturday told Arvind Kejriwal government that the Delhi Metro fare hike can't be put on hold as it would be against the Metro Act.

“Your (Delhi government) suggestion that this ministry direct that the fare increase be kept on hold overlooks the fact the Central government does not have any such authority. Tampering with the recommendations of FFC is legally untenable,” Union Minister Hardip Singh Puri said.The Union Minister also sent a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that has ruled out any rollback on the fare hike.

Puri, who has taken a firm stand on the issue, had said that the last fare hike was implemented in 2009. He had said that the Delhi Metro needs money else it would turn into DTC, referring to the poor condition of buses run by the Delhi Transport Corporation.

Reacting on Puri's statement, Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said that the DTC may be suffering losses, but it was at least serving the people. "The DMRC should go for property development, food courts and advertisements to generate revenue and not just passenger fares," he said.