New Delhi:
Delhi Metro commuters are so fond of their tokens that they take them home without depositing them at the counter while exiting, resulting a loss of over Rs 5 crore since 2009 to the new age transport system.
Though announcements are made regularly at stations that taking away tokens is a punishable offence, commuters continue to either carry them or lose them during their journey on Delhi Metro.
Union Minister of State for Urban Development Deepa Dasmunsi told Lok Sabha on Wednesday that Delhi Metro suffered loses of Rs 5.6 crore since 2009 due to lost or stolen tickets.
While 1.2 crore was lost in 2009-10, the figure grew to Rs 1.6 crore in 2010-11 and it further went up to Rs 1.8 crore from April 2011 to March 2012.
From April 2012 to September 2012, the loss is Rs 95 lakh, she said.
To prevent loss of money and tokens, the Delhi Metro implemented a new system from March 1, 2012 which has started showing results.
She also said the Delhi Metro is promoting use of smart cards in a big way to reduce the use of token and their consequent loss.
To a separate question, she said the construction at Subhash Park in Old Delhi for Jama Masjid Metro station was suspended from July 18 to October 3, 2012.
"The work has been resumed now and is 3 months behind schedule," she said.
Work was stopped after some archaeological remains were found at the site.