New Delhi: The Delhi unit of Students' Federation of India (SFI) has launched an online campaign advocating concessional Delhi Metro travel passes for Delhi University (DU) students in an attempt to make education more accessible to all.
The demand for a subsidised Delhi Metro pass for commuting has long featured in the manifestos of various student organisations in DU.
The Left-leaning SFI's campaign for students says that "transportation is a fundamental right of students" and argues that no student should have to bear exorbitant travel costs in order to access higher education.
Many students have rallied behind the initiative, expressing concern about the financial burdens they face as fees have also risen.
SFI Delhi secretary Aishe Ghosh highlighted the struggles students encounter.
"Many students are forced to miss their daily commutes to the university due to rising metro fares. With a fee hike already weighing heavily on them, the cost of travel has become an additional strain," Ghosh said.
In her social media posts on the issue, Ghosh also spoke about the pressing issue of pollution in Delhi and attempted to make a case for metro commute by students.
"We know how pollution is choking the capital. More usage of public transport will mean more reduction in emissions," she wrote.
A student supporting the campaign reported that SFI had gathered over 50,000 signatures from students in support of the Delhi Metro pass demand campaign.
"Many students rely on bus services, which can be unreliable and cause delays. The Delhi Metro is the fastest option, but its high costs are a barrier. It's crucial that authorities take some action to support students in this matter," on of the students said.
Another supporter of the campaign said: "Public services are designed to enhance the quality of life for citizens, not to serve as profit-generating enterprises. It is essential to prioritise accessibility and affordability, particularly for students who rely on public transport. We must ensure that metro service is available to everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances."