East Delhi MP Maheish Girri has written to Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Delhi Metro managing director Mangu Singh seeking free passes for the blind.
But Delhi Metro Rail Corporation officials say if the suggestion is accepted it can put the DMRC in a tight spot as it will “disturb the economics” of its operations.
Delhi Metro does not give concession passes for any category, be it visually impaired, students or the elderly.
An official said the DMRC does not even give passes to its own employees. But all commuters get a 10 per cent concession if they use Metro smart cards.
“The DMRC is working in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The DMRC has also taken loan from JICA. So, of course, free passes affect the economics of the Delhi Metro operations," the official said.
Also, the DMRC is in the process of revising the fares. The DMRC said that it has a “world-class blind-friendly system”, with tactile paths for the easy movement of visually impaired passengers, as well as additional staff to help them get on or off the trains.
But the insensitive attitude of fellow passengers often mars the experience for the blind.
The Bharatiya Janata Party MP sent the letter addressed to the DMRC managing director on July 9.
“I write to you with the hope that you will take an important but small step towards easing the lives of the blind people,” the MP wrote.
“As you would appreciate that they lead a significantly difficult life and it is imperative that we provide them with some benefit to make their lives comparatively easier," he added.
The MP urged the DMRC to give them a free pass to travel across the network. “It would go a long way to make them feel that the society too cares for them,” Girri added.
Published 16 July 2016, 10:12 IST