DMRC may hike fares.

NEW DELHI: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation ( DMRC ) board is scheduled to take a call on hiking fare on Thursday. A panel appointed by the urban development ministry had recommended increasing the minimum fare from Rs 8 to Rs 10 and the maximum fare from Rs 30 to Rs 50.

Though the board took up the issue on November 7, no decision could be taken as the Delhi government representative had sought more time to study the recommendations of the fare fixation committee (FFC).

Sources said neither the Delhi government nor the Centre was in favour of any hike before the municipal polls. “Now with the election results out, we can expect some decision will be taken. As per the law, the board has to accept FCC ’s recommendation,” an official said.

The committee has recommended a fare revision formula based on the change in wholesale price index and input cost such as electricity bill and operation and maintenance expenses. It has also recommended DMRC can revise the fare annually in January based on this formula.

Metro fares were last revised in 2009 when the minimum tariff was raised from Rs 6 to Rs 8 and the maximum fare from Rs 22 to Rs 30.

