Centre agrees with CM, to have expert review of DMRC

NEW DELHI: The Union Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) ministry has agreed to the suggestion of the Delhi government for reviewing the functioning of Delhi Metro by an expert group to be acceptable to both the governments and has invited Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for talks, a ministry source said on Wednesday.

In a letter to Kejriwal on Wednesday, the source said, HUA Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has invited him for talks on the terms of reference of the study and related matters. "Since you are keen on a study of various aspects of the functioning of DMRC by an expert group, acceptable to both governments, this ministry is open to your suggestion and we can take it forward together in the best interests of the DMRC," the source, quoting Puri's letter, said.

"This, in turn, should benefit the people of the national capital as well. I would be happy to have a detailed discussion on the terms of reference of the proposed study and related matters, whenever convenient," it added.

Earlier in a letter to Puri, Kejriwal had suggested the HUA ministry that "an independent expert group, acceptable to the central and Delhi governments, be set up immediately to review all the issues" relating to the functioning of DMRC, the source said.

The letter was send to the ministry after the fare hike came into effect recently. Kejriwal had called for rationalization and restructuring of DMRC for which a review of the organisation, management, control and accountability of DMRC is required for coming out with cogent recommendations.

In another letter, the chief minister had suggested that the ministry should allow the initiative of the Delhi government to examine matters relating to DMRC, the source said.

Referring to earlier communication by his ministry, Puri reiterated that Metro fare hike cannot be enquired into by either the Delhi government or the central government as per the provisions of the Metro Act and no unilateral enquiry could be initiated into other matters of DMRC since both the governments are equal equity shareholders in DMRC.

Puri, in his letter, also urged Kejriwal to send the Delhi Metro Phase-IV proposal to the Centre at the earliest and expressed concern over its alleged delay of two-and-a-half years.

Puri also urged Kejriwal to ensure action on the comprehensive report on 'Decongesting Delhi' prepared over a year ago by his ministry in consultation with the Delhi government.