Delhi Government to approve Metro expansion

The Delhi Government is expected to approve the proposals regarding capacity expansion of metro-rail in a phased manner after discussions with the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry. This is reportedly expected to bring the metro fares down. As reported, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has directed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to explore if lower fares could be extended to senior citizens and students by using technology during special times. With the addition of the Majlis-South Campus corridor of Delhi Metro, the metro network in Delhi crosses 250 km. The Delhi Government has two pending proposals –  regarding expanding the existing DMRC network with more rolling stock (coaches), and the expansion of metro’s Phase-IV network. Phase-IV has six routes, some of which are not financially viable as per ridership estimates of the Delhi Government. Reports suggest that the state government has sought reworking of the profit and loss sharing mechanism. The Central and state governments are 50:50 partners in the DMRC JV.