Committe set up to recommend Metro fair hike seeks more time

NEW DELHI: Fares of Delhi Metro will not be hiked immediately as the panel formed for recommending revision of fares for DMRC has sought three more months time for submission of its report.

Union Urban Development Ministry had notified a Fair Fixation Committee (FFC), headed by former Delhi High Court judge M L Mehta, for revision of fares for Delhi Metro in May-end.

It was given a three-months time to submit the report but now the Committee head has asked the government another three more months to submit its report.

"In a letter to Urban Development Ministry, the panel has sought three more months for submission of its report," Urban Development Ministry source said.

The other members of the 4th FFC are Urban Development Ministry Additional Secretary Durga Shanker Mishra and Delhi Chief Secretary KK Sharma.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been demanding that fares be hiked in view of increase in electricity tariff, which is a major component of the operational cost.

New fares can only be implemented on the recommendation of a committee on fare revision, set up by the Ministry of Urban Development.

Delhi Metro fares were last revised in 2009.