Delhi Metro fares hiked on all existing routes

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will increase its fares by Re 1 on each of the existing routes from tomorrow.

In addition, the minimum fare will go up by 20 per cent to Rs 6 and the maximum fare by 58 per cent to Rs 22, with the new section from Barakhamba Road to Dwarka becoming operational from Saturday.

Inaugurating the 22.8 kilometre stretch, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the commissioning of the new line marked the completion of Phase-I of the Delhi Metro project. He also said it was expected that most phases of the project would be completed by 2010.

With the third line becoming operational, the metro network will stretch across 56 kilometres.

Singh said the successful completion of the metro network was important for ensuring an affordable means of transportation for the common man. He, however, added it was not necessary that all states emulated the same model, as each place had a different requirement.

"There are other cheap alternatives available. The Central government will encourage all proven technologies that are economically feasible," Singh said.

E Sreedharan, managing director, DMRC, was confident of meeting the 2010 deadline of completing work on all phases, as even the first phase was constructed more than two years ahead of the target date.

Jaipal Reddy, the urban development minister, said with many other cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad planning to set up a public transport system on the lines of Delhi Metro, the ministry was considering setting up a unified metro authority.

This proposal, Reddy said, would be part of the urban transport policy, and be executed simultaneously with the National Urban Renewal Mission.

The Delhi government would also extend full support for expanding the metro network throughout the national capital region, including parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, Shiela Dixit, Delhi chief minister said today. "This will be crucial in reducing congestion," she said.