After Air India,MPs want special courtesies on Delhi Metro too

Reception at station gate,help in boarding,maybe separate ticket counters

After Air India drew up a high quality handling protocol for Indias nearly 800 MPs,a parliamentary panel is learnt to have sought similar privileges on the Delhi Metro.

Delhi Metro has been asked to devise a protocol for MPs wherein staff would be appointed to receive them at stations,facilitate their movement,and assist them in boarding the trains, said a government source in the know.

The courtesies may even include a separate ticket counter for MPs,sources said.

Story continues below this ad

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief Mangu Singh was among those present at a meeting that the House Committee of the Lok Sabha had with Metro officials on May 17. Committee chairman J P Agarwal,the Congress MP from North-east Delhi,denied having sought special treatment from DMRC.

As laymen,we just wanted to know what are the facilities extended by the Metro and their guidelines,so that we can create awareness among members, Agarwal said. He said the committee had not given any directions for the formulation of a separate protocol for MPs.

Sources present at the meeting said MPs cited the example of Air Indias protocol while prodding the Metro chief to come up with a similar plan. A DMRC spokesperson said,MPs had queries regarding the timing and procedures adopted for the Airport Express line. We have forwarded the information to the urban development ministry for onward transmission to those concerned.

Madhu Goud Yakshi,the Congress MP from Nizamabad,Andhra Pradesh,who was present at the meeting,said,It is neither practical nor moral on the part of MPs to ask or demand for something like this.

Story continues below this ad

On the special protocol devised by Air India for MPs,details of which were reported by The Sunday Express on June 3,Agarwal said,We did not direct them (AI) on any circular.

He said the committee had received complaints from several MPs saying they had been harassed at airports and on flights,including not being served their choice of meal,being denied a business class ticket,and not being provided assistance at counters.

It is our duty to see what problems are faced by MPs, Agarwal said.

Sources said several MPs were livid over what they claimed was harassment by Air India. Former cricketer and BJP MP from Darbhanga Kirti Azad told The Indian Express,Yes,I lost my cool. They (Air India and civil aviation ministry officials) were going on giving some answers… we do this… and we track MPs movement… I asked them,What are you doing for your J class (business) passengers,forget MPs?

Story continues below this ad

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh sought to downplay the matter. I dont think there is any additional cost attached to this (protocol for MPs). They do a lot of travelling,we are just saying that give them due respect and assistance.