MoS Housing Hardeep Singh Puri writes to Arwind Kejriwal, agrees to Metro review

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and MoS Housing HArdeep Singh Puri

The Centre Wednesday agreed to the suggestion of a review “by an expert group acceptable to both the state and central governments, and has invited Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for talks at his convenience on the Terms of Reference for the study and related matters”.

In a letter to Kejriwal, Hardeep Singh Puri, MoS Housing and Urban Affairs, stated, “Contrary to the public perception created, inadvertently or deliberately, regarding an enquiry into the current hike in Delhi Metro fare on the recommendations of the statutory Fourth Fare Fixation Committee and the functioning of DMRC, the above three letters, read in conjunction do suggest, I believe, a shared position. I am happy about this.”

This comes weeks after a tussle between the state and central governments over the Phase II of the Delhi Metro fare hike. Sources in the ministry maintained that “CM Kejriwal endorsed the position of the central government”.
Sources said in a letter dated October 12, Kejriwal wrote to Puri, suggesting that “an independent expert group, acceptable to the Central and Delhi governments, be set up immediately to review all the issues.”

Following the fare hike, ticket prices went up by a maximum Rs 10. Kejriwal called for rationalisation and restructuring of DMRC for which review of its organisation and management is required for coming out with cogent recommendations.

Puri’s letter to Kejriwal states three related issues — Delhi Metro Phase IV proposal, Delhi-Meerut RRTS project and the growing menace of traffic congestion in the city. The letter stated, “During our meeting on 26 September 2017, you had assured me that you would have the Delhi Metro Phase-IV proposal sent to this Ministry in 10 days for further processing and consideration. This is eagerly awaited…”

Puri has also mentioned Delhi government’s impending action on a “comprehensive report on ‘Decongesting Delhi’” and its “consent to the Delhi-Meerut RRTS project conveyed to this Ministry… 10% of this corridor passes through Delhi. The UP government has conveyed its consent… (and the project) is held up for over one year since your government is still to take a view on the same.”