Metro Man E Sreedharan who pioneered and led Delhi Metro, has opposed Kejriwal led AAP government’s promise of free public transport rides for women in the national capital, The Hindu has reported.

While writing to Prime Minster Narendra Modi, Sreedharan also appealed for his personal intervention in the matter.

The Delhi government had recently promised free rides in Delhi metro and buses for women commuters in the next two-three months, a move which was slammed by many for being a freebie ahead of 2021 assembly elections in the region.

Sreedharan, who is the principal adviser for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) wrote in the letter, “One shareholder cannot take a unilateral decision to give concession to one section of community and push Delhi Metro into inefficiency and bankruptcy”.

In case of Delhi metro, both the Delhi government and Centre are equal stakeholders.

Sreedharan also recounted that since its opening, he had vowed that no concessions would be given for passengers travelling on the metro to maximise revenue and in turn keep the fares low.

“If ladies are to be given free travel concession in Delhi Metro, it would set an alarming precedence for all other Metros in the country. The argument of Delhi Govt that the revenue losses would be reimbursed to DMRC is a poor solace”, he argued.

Earlier, Union Minister for Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri had slammed the Kejriwal government for announcing the free rides, without making any proposal given the Union Government holds equal 50 per cent ownership in DMRC.