'Metro Man' E Sreedharan Opposes AAP's 'Free Ride For Women' Scheme, Writes Letter to PM Narendra Modi

New Delhi, June 14: Former Delhi Metro chief E Sreedharan wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, opposing the "free ride for women" scheme being proposed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital territory. Sreedharan has instead demanded direct subsidy transfer to the beneficiaries.

Sreedharan, who is currently a principal advisor of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), has called the AAP scheme short sighted and demanded the Prime Minister's "personal intervention" into the matter. Free Rides for Women: Hardeep Singh Puri Questions Arvind Kejriwal's Move

The 'Metro Man', as he is popularly referred to, said a decision pertaining to the functioning of Delhi Metro cannot be taken unilaterally by the state government as the DMRC and the Centre have also a role to play in it.

Further, he claimed that such a scheme would pressurise the DMRC to raise fares for the non-beneficiaries to make up for the loss. It would also compel Metros functioning in other states to adopt the scheme, despite facing severe resource-crunch.

"If ladies are to be given free travel concession in Delhi Metro, it would set an alarming precedent to all other Metros in the country. The argument of Delhi Govt that the revenue losses would be reimbursed to DMRC is a poor solace," he said in the letter.

"The amount involved in about 1,000 crores per annum today. This will go on increasing as the Metro network expands and with further fare hikes on the Metro," Sreedharan further wrote.

The Arvind Kejriwal government, in the wake of criticism towards his populist scheme, has decided to hold 1,000 public meetings in the national capital to get feedback from the people.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 14, 2019 04:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).