AAP to continue fare hike protest

NEWDELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will stage a demonstration outside the Union urban affairs ministry office on Friday, demanding roll back of the hike in Metro fares.

Led by senior party leader and Delhi convener, Gopal Rai, the volunteers will start assembling near Udyog Bhawan Metro station to march towards the protest venue at 11 am.

“Please assemble at gate number 2 of Udyog Bhawan metro station to gherao UD ministry office demanding roll back in fare hikes of metro,” Rai tweeted the appeal on Thursday.

The party started the agitation on Wednesday with its volunteers demonstrating outside 70 Metro stations across the city. On Thursday Rai led protesters outside ITO Metro station. Rai said protests would continue till the hike is rolled back.

“The hike came after eight years despite opposition by the Delhi government and the chief minister,” Rai said. Similar protests were held at 68 Metro sta- tions on Thursday.

The Metro fares were increased from Tuesday, the second this year. Earlier, the fares were revised in May this year

In another letter to the Union urban affairs minister Hardeep Puri, CM Arvind Kejriwal demanded that the Centre should institute an independent inquiry into Delhi Metro’s fare hike, referring to it as a ‘Diwali gift’ for the people of Delhi.

CONG ‘RATH’ AGITATION

The Delhi Congress launched ‘Save Metro Rath’ as part of its week-long campaign against Metro fare hike on Thursday.

The modified vehicle will travel through different parts of the city to educate people about the alleged politics being played by the AAP government in Delhi and the BJP government at the Centre, said Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken.

The Rath will also be taken to all the Metro stations. Maken flagged off the rath on Thursday from Akshardham Metro station, which will go to various metro stations in East Delhi on the first day.