The Supreme Court is not too happy with Kejriwal's offer to provide free rides to women. (PTI photo)

Supreme Court on Friday questioned the Delhi government over its proposal to offer free rides on Delhi Metro to women across all age and background.

The apex court observed that the proposal to offer free rides to women may not be a profitable venture for DMRC.

The Supreme Court further told the Kejriwal government that it must make proper use of public money and refrain from giving free sops to people.

The Supreme Court also directed the Delhi government that the operational loss, if any, in the 103.94 km long Phase IV of the Delhi Metro project would be borne by the Delhi government as it is a mode of conveyance in the national capital.

The apex court said that the AAP government is bound to ensure that the financial health of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is maintained properly and no steps are taken that might result in losses.

The top court however directed that the land cost for the project would be borne by the Centre and the Delhi government equally, in 50:50 ratio.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta asked the authorities concerned to ensure that no delay is caused in the Phase IV metro project and the total land cost of Rs 2,447.19 crore is released forthwith.

The bench directed both the Centre and the Delhi government to work out the modalities and release the amount of land cost within three weeks.

(With inputs from Sanjay Sharma and PTI)