Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 19: In a move aimed at promoting accessible and inclusive public transport, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) has announced that a 25% concession in fares for differently-abled passengers will come into effect from November 23.

In its official statement issued on Tuesday, MMRCL reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a commuter-friendly transit system for persons with disabilities (PwDs). The corporation informed that the technical integration needed to implement the concession is currently in the final stages.

“The 25% concession announced earlier for differently-abled commuters is now in its final testing phase. The integration work is progressing as planned and is expected to be completed soon,” the statement read.

However, journalist and activist Deepak Kaitike expressed dissatisfaction over the delay, stating that despite MMRCL’s assurance of implementing the concession within ten days, the system remains unchanged even after 20 days.

“No disabled passenger is able to avail the discount yet. The ticketing system has not been updated,” Kaitike said in a post on social media platform X. He further pointed out that Mumbai’s first underground metro corridor—Metro Line-3 (Aqua Line)—is still not fully disability-friendly. According to him, several lifts remain non-functional, making travel nearly impossible for wheelchair users.

The fully underground Aqua Line connects Colaba in south Mumbai to Aarey JVLR in the western suburbs, passing through key commercial zones including the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), and is considered a crucial transit corridor for the city.

MMRCL is expected to activate the concession once the final round of testing is completed.