DELHI & NCR ALREADY HAS LACK OF RELIABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXCEPT METRO , HIKE WILL FURTHER STRETCH HOUSEHOLD BUDGET AND STUDENTS THE MOST
New Delhi September 27 , 2017 Daily metro consumers ,representatives of Resident Welfare Association and consumer right groups in the National Capital Region have strongly opposed any proposed move to steeply hike metro fare in the coming days by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
“ The proposed fair hike by DMRC will be second in a year. In May this year a steep hike of more than 60 % in maximum fare had adversely affected the daily commuters going to schools, colleges, office and other establishments .The fare slabs implemented in May were too steep and affected the household budget which is already heavily stretched” said Angry daily commuter Hardik Arora , a student in Noida who travels daily for college from Delhi by metro .
“ Delhi and the entire National Capital Region lacks reliable public transport except Metro rail, the steep hike announced by DMRC will affect the monthly budget , high prices of vegetables, school fee and essentials have already added to our woes. They should improve the public transport and make it more affordable rather than increasing fares” said Mr Ritesh Dewan, Secretary, Delhi Residents Forum, Who travels daily for work to various places in NCR in metro.
“ During office hours we are already travelling in metro like sardines , I shall have to shell out about 20 % of my salary on my and my school and college going children’s commuting. Moreover, even after paying up, I will have to suffer the jam packed services of metro with one or the other line faulty at any given time . It is already difficult to support the family “ said Mr Varinder Arora, Convener Delhi Residents Forum.
“ We have already been hit hard by inflated power bills, increasing school fees, inflation, increasing vegetables prices and now this second increase in Metro fares. We want an immediate brakes of the proposed decision,’ said Mrs Ritu Bhatia, of Mahila Pragatisheel Association, an NGO working for betterment of women in Delhi.
"The transit operator is already reaping huge income from advertising and renting out commercial space on metro stations and trains , the move to raise faires will only make life harder for salaried and student community . More over the DMRC should should raise its fare only if it makes the journey more reliable and develops sufficient facilities for elderly and handicapped" said MR Varinder Arora, Convener, Delhi Residents Forum
‘It is totally an unwarranted proposed hike. The government thinks it can do anything after its victory in recent elections . This hike will have a negative effect on the elderly, people with disabilities, low-income workers, and other individuals who are dependent upon public transportation.” Said Mr said Syed Mujibur Rahman, President,Aman committee , Jama Masjid.who has to make business trips in Gurgaon, Faridabad and Noida on Metro.
“As most of people rely on public transportation It feels like it really improves the quality of life where I live and economic development through transportation helps build the economy but steep hike in metro fare will slow it down and hurt kitchen the most .Government should immediately roll the hike back,” added Mr Ritesh dewan
