New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS): Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday pressed for a reduction in Metro fare, saying that sections of the people were not able to afford to spend so much.

Speaking at the inauguration of Delhi Metro's Lajpat Nagar-Mayur Vihar Pocket-I stretch on Pink Line, Sisodia advised against comparing Delhi Metro fares with that of other countries where the per capita income is much higher.

"I still think that the Metro fare is very high. The civil engineering in building the Metro is brilliant. Now we need some economic engineering to bring down the fare. I think, it can be done," he said.

"When we compare the fares of metros in other countries to justify the fare here, we must also bear in mind the disparity between the per capita income of those countries and ours... Even those hailing from the labour class should be able to afford the Metro.

"Metro is not for joyride. Metro is a daily need," he added.

Delhi Metro's fares were doubled in 2017 in two phases.

The Delhi government, a stakeholder in Delhi Metro and which holds equal equity partnership along with the Central government, protested against the fare hike saying it was not consulted.