The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea seeking reduction in the fares of Delhi Metro and also cancellation of proposed free rides to women.
The court also imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 to the petitioner Bipin Bihari Singh.
At today’s hearing, the petitioner contented that the deduction of railway fare would induce the footfall and thus the environment and traffic congestion’s challenge would find a solution.
He further referred to a SC judgment wherein the Court held that the decrease in fare helps the consumer and environment.
The petitioner also objected the free rides to women in Metro.
The Delhi government objected to the arguments saying that the proposal of reduction of fares and free rides are still in the process and subject to approval.
“We have given recommendation to Central Government to have reduction in fares. The Central Government is at the liberty to allow so. There have been previously PIL filed on the same issues wherein the Court refused to intervene,” the Delhi government said.
The court said: “Reduction of the fare of the metro is within the statutory ambit of the metro. As per the current slab of the Delhi Metro there are six slabs of fare 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 as against the previous range of 15 slabs in the range of 8-30 rupees. We are not accepting the contention to increase the slab also as it is withholding the Section 33 of Delhi Metro Railway (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002. The second prayer of the Petitioner is contended or argued. We, therefore, give liberty to Respondent to decide accordingly.”
—India Legal Bureau
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