Arvind Kejriwal okays free travel for women in Metro, DTC buses: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said women passengers will be allowed to travel free of cost on all metro trains, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and cluster buses in the national capital. Arvind Kejriwal’s declaration came after the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) poor show in the recently concluded 2019 Lok Sabha Elections in Delhi. The government is a 50 per cent equity partner in Delhi Metro along with the Centre. Kejriwal added that women, who can afford to pay, should not avail the free travel subsidy.
Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot had held a meeting with the senior officials of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in this regard. However, neither the DMRC nor the Centre has issued a statement over the proposed free travel plan for women. The Delhi chief minister’s decision to allow women travel on metro trains free of cost could pose a major challenge for the DMRC as it will have to shoulder the financial burden and handle the additional pressure of a sudden spurt in passengers drawn by free travel guarantee. Cluster buses may face similar issues. However, AAP leader Manish Sisodia says women in Delhi should be allowed to travel free of cost as Delhi Metro is a necessity, not a luxury, for them.
Earlier, the AAP government had claimed that it would reduce Metro fares by 25-30 per cent if it is given the full control over Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. With an eye on the 2020 assembly elections, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced free travel for women in Delhi Metro, DTC and cluster buses. Before coming to power Kejriwal had announced to waive electricity and water bills.
The AAP government has also noted that the installation of CCTV cameras in the state. The city is currently under the surveillance of 70,000 CCTV cameras. Apart from that, the CCTV cameras in other places will be installed from June 8. The identification of about 70 thousand places in Delhi has been completed. The CCTV cameras will start from June 8 in these places, identifying other places and soon CCTV cameras will be completed,” said Kejriwal.
This is another attempt by the Aam Aadmi Party to push its cause for Delhi’s full statehood. Earlier, it had pushed for control over Delhi Police, which is answerable to the Union Home Ministry, but had been thwarted. The Lok Sabha campaign for 2019 was also wrapped in demands for full statehood for the capital. The move on Monday comes despite the Lok Sabha loss for all 7 candidates of the party. Over the Delhi Metro, the Centre had hiked ticket charges a few months ago which was strongly protested by the AAP government. Union Minister for Urban Development (Independent charge) Hardeep Puri is yet to react on the AAP government’s preemptory move.
