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Delhi Metro hikes fares, political parties spar while commuters suffer

Published

8 years ago

on

Delhi Metro

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to launch Metro Fare Satyagraha from Wednesday, Congress launches Save Metro campaign, ABVP protests against hike

After a month of confrontations between the Delhi and Union governments over the proposed hike in metro fares, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) implemented the recommended hike, on Tuesday, leaving commuters worried over the steep increase – the second in five months – as political parties got into a war of words.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1507638846474{border-bottom-width: 20px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #b2b1bf !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]The fares applicable from now on will be:

Up to 2 km — Rs 10,

2 to 5 km — Rs 20

5 to 12 km — Rs 30

12 to 21 km — Rs 40

21 to 32 km —Rs 50

For journeys beyond 32 km — Rs 60

Smart card users, who, according to DMRC’s estimates, happen to be 70 per cent of the metro’s total ridership, will continue to get 10 per cent discount on each ride. They will get an additional discount of 10 per cent while travelling during off-peak hours that is from beginning of services till 8 am, between 12 pm and 5 pm and from 9 pm to end of the services.

When the Delhi Metro had started operations on December 25, 2002, the minimum fare was Rs 4 and maximum was Rs 8.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The hike has effectively doubled the fare within six months.

The announcement was made on Monday night after a meeting of the Metro’s top decision-making body, the DMRC board, in which it was concluded that the board had no power to change the recommendations of the fare fixation committee. The meeting was called in response to resolution passed by the Aam Aadmi Party-dominated Delhi Assembly against the hike.

The fare hike implemented, on Tuesday, expectedly met with heavy criticism from commuters as well as Opposition leaders while the ruling AAP in Delhi announced that it would launch a Metro Fare Satyagraha from Wednesday.

The AAP government, including chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia sought to blame the Centre for the steep hike and claimed that the increase in Metro fares was a “conspiracy” by the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help cab aggregator services like Uber and Ola make a killing.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html]JTNDYmxvY2txdW90ZSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydHdpdHRlci12aWRlbyUyMiUyMGRhdGEtbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTNFJTNDcCUyMGxhbmclM0QlMjJoaSUyMiUyMGRpciUzRCUyMmx0ciUyMiUzRSUyNnF1b3QlM0IlRTAlQTQlQUMlRTAlQTQlQTElRTAlQTQlQkMlRTAlQTUlODAlMjAlRTAlQTQlQUElRTAlQTUlOEQlRTAlQTQlQjAlRTAlQTQlQkUlRTAlQTQlODclRTAlQTQlQjUlRTAlQTUlODclRTAlQTQlOUYlMjAlRTAlQTQlOUYlRTAlQTUlODglRTAlQTQlOTUlRTAlQTUlOEQlRTAlQTQlQjglRTAlQTUlODAlMjAlRTAlQTQlOTUlRTAlQTQlODIlRTAlQTQlQUElRTAlQTQlQTglRTAlQTUlODAlRTAlQTQlQUYlRTAlQTUlOEIlRTAlQTQlODIlMjAlRTAlQTQlOTUlRTAlQTUlOEIlMjAlRTAlQTQlQUIlRTAlQTQlQkUlRTAlQTQlQUYlRTAlQTQlQTYlRTAlQTQlQkUlMjAlRTAlQTQlQUElRTAlQTQlQjklRTAlQTUlODElRTAlQTQlODIlRTAlQTQlOUElRTAlQTQlQkUlRTAlQTQlQTglRTAlQTUlODclMjAlRTAlQTQlOTUlRTAlQTUlODclMjAlRTAlQTQlQjIlRTAlQTQlQkYlRTAlQTQlOEYlMjAlRTAlQTQlQUMlRTAlQTUlODclRTAlQTQlQjUlRTAlQTQlOUMlRTAlQTQlQjklMjAlRTAlQTQlQUMlRTAlQTQlQTIlRTAlQTQlQkMlRTAlQTQlQkUlRTAlQTQlQUYlRTAlQTQlQkUlMjAlRTAlQTQlOUMlRTAlQTQlQkUlMjAlRTAlQTQlQjAlRTAlQTQlQjklRTAlQTQlQkUlMjAlRTAlQTQlQjklRTAlQTUlODglMjAlRTAlQTQlQTYlRTAlQTQlQkYlRTAlQTQlQjIlRTAlQTUlOEQlRTAlQTQlQjIlRTAlQTUlODAlMjAlRTAlQTQlQUUlRTAlQTUlODclRTAlQTQlOUYlRTAlQTUlOEQlRTAlQTQlQjAlRTAlQTUlOEIlMjAlRTAlQTQlOTUlRTAlQTQlQkUlMjAlRTAlQTQlOTUlRTAlQTQlQkYlRTAlQTQlQjAlRTAlQTQlQkUlRTAlQTQlQUYlRTAlQTQlQkUlMjZxdW90JTNCLSUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRm1zaXNvZGlhJTNGcmVmX3NyYyUzRHR3c3JjJTI1NUV0ZnclMjIlM0UlNDBtc2lzb2RpYSUzQyUyRmElM0UlMjAlMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZoYXNodGFnJTJGQkpQSGlrZXNNZXRyb0ZhcmUlM0ZzcmMlM0RoYXNoJTI2YW1wJTNCcmVmX3NyYyUzRHR3c3JjJTI1NUV0ZnclMjIlM0UlMjNCSlBIaWtlc01ldHJvRmFyZSUzQyUyRmElM0UlMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdC5jbyUyRlc4MEhhMUxBVUglMjIlM0VwaWMudHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZXODBIYTFMQVVIJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUzQyUyRnAlM0UlMjZtZGFzaCUzQiUyMEFBUCUyMEV4cHJlc3MlMjAlRjAlOUYlODclQUUlRjAlOUYlODclQjMlMjAlMjglNDBBQVBFeHByZXNzJTI5JTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGQUFQRXhwcmVzcyUyRnN0YXR1cyUyRjkxNzYyNzM3MjE0NDE3MzA1NiUzRnJlZl9zcmMlM0R0d3NyYyUyNTVFdGZ3JTIyJTNFT2N0b2JlciUyMDEwJTJDJTIwMjAxNyUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0MlMkZibG9ja3F1b3RlJTNFJTBBJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwYXN5bmMlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjIlMkYlMkZwbGF0Zm9ybS50d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRndpZGdldHMuanMlMjIlMjBjaGFyc2V0JTNEJTIydXRmLTglMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0U=[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The Delhi Metro Commuters’ Association (DMCA) has also opposed the move and called for boycott of metro services.

“The decision will affect the common people here, who are already reeling under inflation. The argument of the Urban Development Ministry and the DMRC citing losses are utterly false as fares are already very high. Moreover, almost all metro trains are jam-packed, thereby adding to profits,” DMCA convener Sachin S. Bhandari told media persons.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Assembly Speaker is set to nominate nine MLAs to a committee that will study the Centre and DMRC board’s rationale behind the fare hike and possibly suggest ways in which the state government can confront the Modi government on the issue and ease the financial burden that the hike will cause to commuters.

The metro fare hike has given the Congress party, which is struggling for its political survival in the national capital which it ruled for 15 years before being pushed into wilderness by the Kejriwal wave, much-needed ammunition to target both AAP and BJP.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajay Maken said that the fare hike and the resultant trouble caused to lakhs of Metro commuters was the result of the ongoing tussle between the Kejriwal-led Delhi government and Narendra Modi-led Union government. Maken said that his party has launched a ‘Save Delhi Save Metro’ campaign and would organise various agitations, sit-ins, etc. to protest against the fare hike.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Meanwhile, the BJP’s student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) too protested against the Metro fare hike that has been implemented as a result of the recommendations of the Centre.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The Centre and the Delhi government were locked in a confrontation ever since the DMRC proposed the hike in September.

On Sunday, Arvind Kejriwal had said that the Delhi government was ready to provide half the funds needed to meet the gap in the metro’s finances for three months if it was allowed to take over its operations.

The Delhi chief minister’s statement was in response to Union urban development minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s demand of Rs 3,000 crore annually from the Delhi government in order cancel the proposed hike.

While political leaders indulged in the shrill war of words over the metro hike, with the AAP and BJP both blaming each other and the Congress blaming them both for the decision, it was as always the commuters who were left helpless.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Omar Abdullah distances INDIA bloc from Congress’s vote chori campaign

Omar Abdullah has clarified that the INDIA opposition bloc is not linked to the Congress’s ‘vote chori’ campaign, saying each party is free to set its own agenda.

Published

32 mins ago

on

December 15, 2025

By

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has drawn a clear line between the INDIA opposition bloc and the Congress’s ongoing ‘vote chori’ campaign, stating that the alliance has no role in the issue being raised by the grand old party.

Speaking to the media, Abdullah said every political party within the alliance is free to decide its own priorities. He underlined that the Congress has chosen to focus on alleged irregularities linked to voter lists and electoral processes, while other parties may pursue different agendas.

According to Abdullah, the INDIA bloc as a collective is not associated with the ‘vote chori’ narrative. He added that no party within the alliance should dictate what issues another constituent should raise in public discourse.

The remarks came days after the Congress organised a large rally in the national capital to intensify its campaign. The party has alleged that the Election Commission is working in favour of the BJP to influence electoral outcomes. Both the poll body and the ruling party have rejected these claims.

INDIA bloc cohesion under scrutiny

Abdullah’s comments have gained significance as they follow his recent observation that the INDIA bloc is currently on “life support”. That remark, made during an interaction at a leadership summit in Delhi, triggered mixed reactions from alliance partners.

At the event, Abdullah had said the opposition grouping revives intermittently but struggles to maintain momentum, especially after electoral setbacks. He also pointed to the Bihar political developments, suggesting that decisions taken by the alliance may have contributed to Nitish Kumar returning to the NDA fold. He further cited the inability to accommodate the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in Bihar seat-sharing talks as a missed opportunity.

Allies respond to Omar Abdullah’s remarks

Reactions from within the INDIA bloc reflected differing views on Abdullah’s assessment. RJD leader Manoj Jha termed the remarks “rushed” and said responsibility for strengthening the alliance lies with all constituents, including Abdullah himself.

CPI general secretary D Raja called for introspection among alliance partners, questioning the lack of coordination despite the stated objective of defeating the BJP and safeguarding democratic values.

Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Rai disagreed with the “life support” analogy, saying electoral defeats are part of politics and should not demoralise opposition forces. He cautioned that internal pessimism only serves the BJP’s interests.

BJP targets opposition unity

The BJP seized on the comments to attack the opposition bloc’s unity. Senior leader Shahnawaz Hussain dismissed the INDIA alliance as defunct, claiming it lost relevance after the Lok Sabha elections and lacks leadership and a clear policy direction.

Abdullah’s latest clarification on the ‘vote chori’ campaign reinforces the visible differences within the opposition alliance, even as its constituents continue to debate strategy and coordination ahead of future political battles.

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Nitin Nabin terms BJP working president role a party blessing, thanks leadership

BJP national working president Nitin Nabin has termed his appointment a blessing of the party, thanking its leadership and pledging to work on the ideals of his late father.

Published

44 mins ago

on

December 15, 2025

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Nitin Nabin

Newly appointed BJP national working president Nitin Nabin on Monday described his elevation as a blessing bestowed by the party and expressed gratitude to its top leadership for placing faith in him.

Speaking to reporters in Patna after paying floral tributes to a statue of his late father, former BJP MLA Nabin Kishor Prasad Sinha, the Bihar minister said he would continue to work on the principles he inherited from his family and the organisation.

“I have always worked on the ideas of my father, who treated the party like his mother and put the nation above everything else. I believe that is why the party has given me this responsibility,” Nabin said. He later visited Mahavir Mandir in the city to offer prayers.

Gratitude to Prime Minister, focus on Antyodaya

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his guidance, Nabin said development under the current leadership has reached towns and villages across the country. He added that the party has expanded its presence and emerged as a platform representing the poor.

According to Nabin, no section of society has remained untouched by the welfare initiatives of the NDA government. He said the idea of Antyodaya has now reached every corner of India, recalling the contributions of Deendayal Upadhyaya, Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in shaping the philosophy.

On elections and party organisation

Responding to questions on upcoming elections, including in West Bengal, Nabin said BJP workers remain active at all times. He remarked that unlike other parties, BJP cadres work round the year and remain prepared in every state.

At 45, Nabin is a five-time MLA from the Bankipur assembly constituency and has served twice as a minister in the Bihar government. He comes from an RSS background and is currently part of the Nitish Kumar-led state cabinet.

A generational shift in the party

Nabin’s appointment as national working president on Sunday was seen as a significant organisational move. The position, though not mentioned in the party constitution, has earlier served as a transition role before elevation to the top post.

Prime Minister Modi publicly endorsed the decision, describing Nabin as a hardworking and grounded leader with strong organisational experience. Party leaders have projected the move as part of a generational shift, with Nabin expected to follow a trajectory similar to that of the current national president, who had earlier served as working president before taking charge of the organisation.

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BJP demands Sonia Gandhi’s apology over Congress rally slogan targeting PM Modi

A slogan raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Congress rally in Jaipur has sparked a political storm, with the BJP demanding an apology from Sonia Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders.

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2 hours ago

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December 15, 2025

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A political controversy has erupted after a slogan referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “grave” was raised during a Congress rally in Jaipur, prompting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to demand an apology from senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi.

The slogan was raised at a ‘Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod’ rally held in Rajasthan’s capital, where Manju Lata Meena, Jaipur women’s Congress district president, led a group chanting the remark against the Prime Minister. The rally was organised to highlight the Opposition’s allegations of vote theft against the BJP.

When questioned later, Meena defended her statement, saying it reflected public anger over alleged electoral issues. She also accused the Prime Minister of diverting attention from concerns related to employment, youth, women and farmers.

BJP seeks apology from Congress leadership

The remarks triggered sharp reactions from the ruling party. BJP president and Union minister JP Nadda raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, calling the slogan highly objectionable and accusing the Congress of revealing its mindset through such language. He demanded an apology from Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, and Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju also criticised the slogan, saying political rivals are not enemies and such statements cross acceptable boundaries. Addressing a press conference, he urged Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to apologise on the floor of both Houses of Parliament. Rijiju said it was unfortunate that Congress workers were using language that appeared to incite violence against a constitutional authority.

Congress response and allies’ reactions

Congress MP Manickam Tagore dismissed the BJP’s reaction, claiming that the rally had unsettled ruling party leaders. He said the response from BJP leaders showed they were rattled by the Opposition’s campaign.

However, some of Congress’s allies distanced themselves from the slogan. A Samajwadi Party MP said political differences should not translate into disrespectful language for those holding constitutional posts. A senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) also termed the slogan inappropriate, stating that regardless of political disagreements, the Prime Minister’s position must be respected.

The episode has added to the ongoing war of words between the BJP and the Congress, with both sides trading accusations as Parliament’s Winter Session continues.

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