\Between 2012 and 2015, Delhi Metro’s annual power expenditure has increased by nearly Rs149 crore, the lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. The hike is reportedly due to a steep rise in electricity tariff in the national capital region where it operates.
The net expenditure on power was Rs319.86 crore in 2012-13 which subsequently rose to Rs399.86 crore in 2013-14 and Rs468.55 crore in 2014-15, the Government said in reply to a question in the lower House.
“DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) has informed that due to increase in tariff since April 1, 2009, they had paid Rs799 crore more than that would have been paid at the rate of electricity tariff as on April 1, 2009,” MoS for Urban Development Babul Supriyo said. Citing the rise in power tariff, DMRC has been consistently demanding its fares to be revised. The fares were last hiked in 2009.
Responding to whether the government proposes to increase fares to compensate for the loss, Supriyo said the UD Ministry has forwarded a proposal for constitution of the 4th Fare Fixation Committee for the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
Replying to another query, the Government said it has sought Rs19,335 crore assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the construction of DMRC’s Phase III. Over Rs42,000 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of Metro’s Phase III, which will take the mass rapid transit to more areas of the NCR region.