Metro fares may go up, panel likely to decide

The fares for Delhi Metro trains may be revised in the coming days as the Urban Development ministry is considering constituting a fare fixation committee.

Well placed sources said that in a recent Board meeting of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), the matter of setting up the fare fixation committee was discussed and the urban development ministry was moving in this direction.

The last occasion when fares had been revised by the Delhi Metro following the recommendations of the fare fixation committee was in 2009, when the minimum fare was raised from Rs 6 to Rs 8 and the maximum from Rs 22 to Rs 30.

Officials said that as per the Delhi Metro Railway (Operation and Maintenance) Act 2002, the central government can, from time to time, constitute a fare fixation committee which can recommend passenger carriage fares.

As per the Act, the committee should have three members, which would include a person who is or has been a judge of the High Court at the helm.

The state government and the central government appoint the other two members.

The committee once constituted would present its recommendations in a period not exceeding three months, sources said.