Title - You may have to pay more for tickets on Metro III

MUMBAI: You may have to shell out more for a ticket on the proposed underground Metro III rail line between Colaba and Andheri via Bandra compared to Metro I on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar route.Fares for Metro III would be regulated on the lines of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) under the Metro Rail Act. The first elevated line is being implemented under the Tramways Act and its fare would be 1.5 times that on existing BEST routes. Though it will take longer for Metro II and III to come up, the proposal for Metro III has been sent to the directorate of economic affairs for financial clearance prior to cabinet and other approvals.The Metro II line, which will have the same fare as Metro I, is still to come up, despite a contract being awarded to Reliance Infrastructure three years ago, mainly due to the absence of permissions to use commercial areas, aviation clearance and removal of high-voltage lines. This line is though proposed to completely elevated, people in western suburbs are demanding to build underground between Dahisarand Bandra via Charkop."The 30km Metro III line may be underground and hence cost Rs 24,000 crore. Governments can fund up to 46% of the costs; 54% will come as a loan from a Japanese bank. So, to make it financially feasible, DMRC tariffs will have to be applied, which are higher than the Metro I line," said MMRDA commissioner Rahul Asthana.

According to sources since the BEST's minimum or base tariff for first two kilometers is Rs 5, the minimum tariff for the first metro line would be around Rs 8 which is 1.5 times that of the BEST. "If considered 14 per cent rise on the metro one's tariff, then the minimum tariff for third metro could be around Rs 12 for a minimum distance," said officials.

The third metro line's financial and technical model is yet to get clearance from the department of economic affairs and Public Investment Board in Delhi following which the project would be put up before cabinet committee for permission to start international bidding competition. First three lines are said to be crucial for the city to decongest the present public transport modes and the roads. However, according to sources it will take minimum six years of time for MMRDA to build the third metro. "Eventually the third metro may become second and second may become three if latter fails to start and the former gets developer appointed," said a source.