Slamming Delhi government’s announcement of providing free public travel to women in metros and buses, former Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief E Sreedharan has written a letter to Prime Minister, saying Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s ambitious plan of free metro rides to women will drive the transport system towards inefficiency and bankruptcy.
Sreedharan, popularly known as ‘Metro Man’, urged PM Modi not to agree to the proposal. “I would very earnestly request you sir not to agree to the Delhi government’s proposal of free travel to ladies in the Metro,” he wrote in his letter dated June 10.
“Now, if ladies are to be given free travel concession in Delhi Metro, it would set an alarming precedence to all other metros in the country. The argument of the Delhi government that the revenue losses would be reimbursed to the DMRC is a poor solace,” his letter further read.
He said the Delhi Metro is a joint venture of the Delhi government and the Centre and one shareholder cannot take an unilateral decision.
He also advised that if Kejriwal wanted to go ahead with the scheme, he must put money directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries.
ALSO READ: Southern Railways withdraws circular that specified language criteria for staff
“If the Delhi government is so keen to help lady commuters, I would suggest Delhi government can pay directly to the lady commuters the cost of their travel rather than make travel free on the Metro,” he said.
On June 3, the Delhi chief minister had announced that women will soon get to travel free in metro and state-run buses. However, he added that the free ride offer will be voluntary, if a women who can afford it will be able to pay for the ride.
Whereas, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), in its proposal submitted to the Delhi government, stated that implementing the scheme would result in an annual loss of around Rs 1560 crore, out of which Rs 11 crore will be incurred in its feeder buses.