MMRDA incurs legal expenses of Rs 1.46 crores to oppose Fare Increase by Mumbai Metro One.

Mumbai Metro One which was the first PPP project undertaken by the MMRDA has run into legal hassles to control the fare hike done by the MMOPL. The MMRDA has had to incur legal expenses of Rs 1,46 crores uptill now to oppose the unilateral fare hike done by the JV company, this information was provided to RTI Activist Anil Galgali. RTI Activist Anil Galgali had sought information from the MMRDA regarding the various cost incurred uptill now on cases filed by it on the fare hike of Mumbai Metro One. MMRDA administration in its reply to Anil Galgali informed that, it had appointed M/s Khatan and Co as its advocates to file cases on the fare hike by Mumbai Metro One in courts and other forums and has paid them Rs 1 crore 44 lakhs 94 thousand 321 as fees and includes all expenses too. Also on the query regarding the expenses incurred on fresh petition filed in the Mumbai High Court, it has replied Galgali, that Rs 1,44,94,321/= has been paid by MMRDA to M/s Khaitan & Co, which includes all types of expenses. In support of the cases, the MMRDA Addl Chief K Vijayalaksmi, Jt Project Director Yogita Paralkar, and Suprintending Engineer M C Devaroo had been present in the court, on which Rs 1,00,000/= expenses were incurred. A total of Rs 1 crore 45 lakhs 94 thousand 321 has been spent on Advocates and officials on these cases. Inspite of spending such a huge amount on the cases filed by MMRDA, it has failed to get any respite in the matter, regretted Galgali. He further stressed that unless and untill a modification is enacted in the Metro Act, the MMRDA will have no control on the fares of Mumbai Metro One, for which the CM should put in his best efforts to properly present its case with the Central Govt, expressed Galgali.