'Result of misunderstanding..,' writes Manish Sisodia to E Sreedharan over his objection to free Delhi metro rides for women. Read letter here

Responding to Metro Man E Sreedharan's letter to PM Narendra Modi opposing free metro rides for women in Delhi, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia expressed his pain on  former's view.

In a letter to Sreedharan, Sisodia wrote, "Pained and surprised by your decision to oppose proposal of Delhi government to bear cost to provide free ridership for women in Delhi Metro Rail Corporation trains."

"By Delhi Metro's own mission, free ridership for women will increase women ridership by 50%. Delhi Metro should rejoice it and t oppose it. Even after providing free ridership, daily ridership will only go up by three lakhs on daily basis, which will still be less than 40 lakhs capacity facility was originally designed for," he ded in his letter. 

Sisodia blamed high fares for falling ridership of Delhi Metro and said that it needs to drastically improve its efficiency and become cost competitive. Expressing belief in decision, Sisodia said that main intention of introducing free ridership is to ensure women safety and improve air quality in city. He ded that it is a revolutionary step to empower women and it will open up immense opportunities for m.

He urged Sreedharan to reconsider proposal of Delhi government and sought his blessings to go ahe with 'progressive step.'

Here's his full letter:

E Sreedharan h earlier written a letter to PM Modi, requesting him to intervene in matter, and h said that freebie scheme was t feasible as it would drain exchequer. Sreedharan h created a strong ' concession' policy ever since operations began in 2002. Making a strong point to support his argument, he h written stating that even former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee h purchased a ticket to travel on metro from station where it was inaugurated. He also mentioned that workers of Metro purchase tickets for travel on medium. 

Sreedharan ded in his letter to PM that Delhi government could t take a unilateral decision in matter as Delhi Metro was co-owned by Centre and state. He said that if State government wanted to provide free rides to women, n y should give money directly to m inste of inflicting loss on Delhi Metro. 

RE | 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan Requests PM Modi t To Agree To Delhi Government's Free Travel Scheme For Women