Delhi university students seek relief in metro fare

New Delhi, Dec 5 (UNI) A group of Delhi University students have sought concessional passes for varsity students who travel by Delhi metro.

The students' group, United Students, demanded a concessional pass facility similar to what was being provided by Delhi Transport Corporation in the city.

The facility could be restricted to only Delhi Metro Rail Corp's Delhi University (Vishwa Vidhyalaya) station, it offered.

''We are not asking for a freebie, just a rationalisation of costs for students. After all, it can't be logical to have a DTC pass for Rs 75 for travel all over Delhi for five months and having to pay Rs 42 per day for using the Metro,'' group activist Krishna Kaul said.

In addition to what it costs (Rs 42) to travel by metro to the University and back from the subcity of Dwarka in South West Delhi, one had to pay for buses, autos and cycle rickshaws to get to metro stations, he added.

United Students had written a letter in the regard to DMRC chief E Sreedharan arguing for a rationalised fare just for students.

''According to our calculations, any revenue shortfalls could be more than made up by the advance collections had for buying such passes,'' Mr Kaul said.

Students coming from long distances and those from economically lower strata find it very difficult to manage their travel costs.

''It is becoming simply impossible to defend a situation where a student is spending more on travel to and from home than on college fees,'' said Deepak Bora, a Hansraj College student and a group member.

The group had also sought a meeting with Mr Sreedharan to follow up their case.

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