File Photo: Mumbai Monorail.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) spends around Rs 76 lakh a month on the security of Monorail, its seven stations and depots that are operational since February 2014, an RTI query has revealed.
City based RTI activist Anil Galgali had filed a query with the MMRDA seeking details of the money spent by it for the security of the country's first Monorail and number of passengers that commute daily.
He also wanted details on the revenue generated by the MMRDA through sale of tickets.
In response to his query, Deputy Engineer and Public Information Officer of Mono Rail, Varun Vaish said that an exact amount of Rs 75,96,077 has been spent only on the security of the seven stations and depots of monorail work, which has been awarded to Maharashtra State Security Corporation in April.
The query also revealed that a total sum of Rs 2,716 crore was drawn as a planned expense out of which Rs 2,290 is already spent by MMRDA. M/s Skomi Engineering BHD, a Malaysia Group (LTSE) and M/s Larsen and Tubro are the beneficiaries of this amount spent by the MMRDA.
In response to the number of passengers and the total amount collected through the sale of tickets, MMRDA informed that during February 2014 to March 2015 (a period of 14 months), 59,98,069 passengers have used the services of monorail and Rs 4,88,46,969 is the revenue generated in the form of sale of tickets.
"One round trip costs MMRDA a sum of Rs 3,131 per trip and not more than 131 trips are done daily," the RTI reply stated.
In a letter written to Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Mr Galgali has sought relaxation on the security expense collected by the government exchequer.
"It is a public transport now. It would be easier for the MMRDA if the government stops collecting these huge amounts per month just for providing security to stations and depots.
The government should also stop the overflow of people sent in by the Government for this specific purpose as security should be provided only as per the requirements," Mr Galgali said.