Will resolve Mumbai Metro fare hike issue with court's help: CM

Prithviraj Chavan said he would decide on the cost escalation of fare slabs after discussion with MMOPL, apart from seeking court's help

While the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro line started plying at 1 pm yesterday, the battle over ticket fares remains unresolved. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said he will try to sort out the cost escalation of ticket prices through discussions with MMOPL, and court intervention.

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Chief Minster Prithviraj Chavan waves to the public at Ghatkopar station, after inaugurating the Metro. Pic/Datta Kumbhar
 
Speaking to media persons after the inauguration at Ghatkopar Metro station, Chavan said, “We will resolve the fare hike issue through discussions with MMOPL, and will also take help from the court.

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A board at Ghatkopar station names Mumbai Metro after the corporate entity, completely omitting the name of the city and MMRDA. Pic/Rane Ashish

We have already filed a petition in the high court, and a hearing on the case is expected on Monday. We want the fares to be between Rs 9 and Rs 13. We also want the fare fixation committee to take a final call on the issue.”

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The line’s opening was embroiled in controversy since Saturday after Chavan said that he would not inaugurate the Metro if fares were not in accordance with the concession agreement signed between the MMOPL and the state government.

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The accord stipulates that the minimum fare should be Rs 9 and fixes the ceiling at Rs 13. But the private arm of the joint venture entered into by the state, that is, MMOPL, wants to escalate the costs to a minimum fare of Rs 10 and a maximum of Rs 40.

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There is a provision in the agreement for a fare fixation committee to be formed and take a final call on the increase in fare.

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