Mumbaikars to brace for another Metro Rail fare hike – this time it’s Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar line

Mumbaikars to brace for another Metro Rail fare hike – this time it’s Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar line

Mumbai: Mumbaikars should brace themselves for a fare hike, this time it’s Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Mumbai Metro.

Journey on the elevated corridor is going to become expensive in the coming weeks. There are plans with Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL) to further hike the already increased fares over which the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) led MMOPL have locked horns.

RInfra-led MMOPL wants to increase its revenue not only for ticket sales but also from non-ticketing revenue like advertisement rights and real estate development.

This move has been made public by MMOPL after the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) submitted its report on Wednesday. The FFC was formed to ascertain if the existing fare structure of Rs10-20-30-40 implemented by MMOPL is appropriate or MMRDA’s demand for fare model Rs9-11-13 should be in force.

Hearing by FFC was held on June 11 by retired Justice E Padmanabhan as chairman, members include ex-Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Jayant Kumar Banthia and former Law Secretary Dr T. K. Vishwanathan.

Thus, if you travel the entire 11.4-km – Versova to Ghatkopar or either way – you are likely to pay above Rs40, which is currently being levied.

“MMOPL is examining the FFC Report submitted on 8th July, and will work towards phased implementation of the FFC recommendations, with gradual fare increases together with the mitigating impact of potential real estate development and subsidy from the state govternment, and keeping in mind at all times the overall interest of our valued commuters,” said an MMOPL spokesperson.

MMOPL is yet to lease out spaces at Western Express Highway Metro station. Sources said that this is one of the locations that is likely to be tapped to generate revenue. The other may be at Ghatkopar Metro station. More stalls may be seen at all the stations which will help the operator garner more revenue from non-ticketing options.