MMRDA foots security costs for Mumbai metro, while Rinfra-led firm pockets revenues
Mumbai Metro's security cost is being borne by the MMRDA and revenue or profits is cornered by MMOPL. MMOPL may be earning profits through unprecedented increase of fares, said Anil Galgali, who got information under the Right to Information Act.
The Rs22.05 crore cost of maintaining security personnel at Mumbai Metro stations is being borne by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), even as the metro's revenues are being pocketed by the Reliance Infrastructure-led Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL), it has emerged.
"Mumbai Metro's security cost is being borne by the MMRDA and revenue or profits is cornered by MMOPL. MMOPL may be earning profits through unprecedented increase of fares," said Anil Galgali, who got information under the Right to Information Act.
As per the information received, the annual security agreement cost is Rs21.77 crores, which includes security deposit and one month's advance charges. Over and above this, there is annual charge of Rs28.80 lakh for having sniffer dogs at each of the metro stations along Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor.
Maharashtra Security Force has been appointed for providing security at the stations. The earlier plan was to have Central Industrial Security Force guards, but it was turned down.
On the subject an MMOPL spokesperson said, "As per the decision of government of Maharashtra the deployment of MSF for security of metro commuters has been done by MMRDA and its cost is borne by MMRDA. Responsibility of operation and maintenance of Mumbai Metro One is with MMOPL and hence all revenue and expenditure for the same are borne by the company entirely. At present the loss incurred in the business is funded by Reliance Infrastructure."