Because metro journey isn't that middle class -Governance Now

Because metro journey isn't that middle class

The apex court’s suggestion might be a game changer in years to come. But the people who are motivated already do not need cosy and premium coaches to give their share to the environment.

Swati Chandra | January 7, 2016 | New Delhi

The Supreme Court has suggested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to provide for “cosy premium seats” for the “rich, high and mighty” who cannot use their luxury cars during the on-going odd even exercise. The suggestion, if implemented well, might work out and encourage people to prefer metros over their private vehicle. Before DMRC would start pondering over the suggested measures by the Supreme Court, I met a woman belonging to so called “rich, high and mighty” already who, just in seven days of the trial based plan, has realised that “metro journeys aren’t that middle class.”

In the metro train I boarded this morning, I met this woman, in her late 50s, giving friendly smile to every passenger in the pink coach which was full of sad and gloomy faced passengers who were either busy in assorted gossip or were silent looking at others or their smartphones dismally. The woman (claims to own four cars in a posh locality in Ghaziabad) sat beside me and curiously enquired about other metro routes, which I was sure, she doesn’t take that often.

Me: Where exactly you want to go?

Lady: Mandi House.

Me: This metro goes their directly.

Lady: I know. I am asking just to grab some knowledge of the routes I might take in future. I think I will ask for metro map from the customer care desk.

Me: Interesting! You don’t seem like a regular traveller? Aren’t you?

Lady: Yes. I drive every day. This is the first time I am travelling in metro after shifting from Mumbai three years back.

Me: So I guess this is some sort of self-motivation that you are participating in the odd-even plan voluntarily knowing that women are exempted from the rule.

Lady: Ah, no. See the situation is that we have four cars. Three even and one odd. We most drive two out of these cars as other two are now old. So the two cars are odd and even numbered and my husband whose office is at Patel Chowk is taking these two cars and thus I commute in metro these days.

Me: Why don’t you prefer car-pooling with your husband now and on usual days?

Lady: Well, that’s very inconvenient to manage.

Me: Ok. What about metro rides?

Lady: I am enjoying. It isn’t that middle class.

Me: ??

Lady: Earlier, I presumed it to be a very non cosy affair that I am not used to.

Me: Anything changed after you started like routine traveller in these seven days.

Lady: Off course. I will give up driving my car when I am traveling alone, specially to my office. Metros are comfortable and time efficient, so why not go green?

The apex court’s suggestion might be a game changer in years to come. But the people who are motivated already do not need cosy and premium coaches to give their share to the environment.

Comments

Other News

Here’s an I.D.E.A. for career growth and success

Success in today’s professional organisation is no longer solely determined by academic qualifications, technical expertise or years of experience. While these attributes do matter, organisations increasingly value individuals who demonstrate the right mindset and behavioural qualities. The ability

PM interacts with CEOs, founders of space startups

Prime minister Narendra Modi interacted with CEOs and Founders of 20 Space Startups at Seva Teerth on Friday. CEOs of leading companies in the space sector working in diverse fields ranging from building rockets and reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, avionics, satelli

From one cow to a dairy business

In 2012, Anita Dash wasn`t dreaming of building a dairy brand. She wasn`t studying business models or planning market expansion. Like countless mothers across India, her focus was on something much simpler: giving her children a better future. At the time, her most valuable

Ethanol blending: The two sides of a story

India`s crude oil consumption is estimated to be around 88.5% imported from abroad. This one single figure is also responsible for why ethanol has become both an economic strategy and fuel policy at the same time. In an economy like India, which depends so heavily on foreign oil, any increase in internat

Food inflation: Not a macroeconomic statistic but a developmental indicator

India`s retail inflation shows a reassuring picture at first glance. According to the latest data, Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation edged up to 4.38% in June 2026 from 3.93% in May 2026, but continued to remain within the Reserve Bank of India`s (RBI) target band of 4% (+/- 2%). However, beneath this

Skin in the game or masterful market timing?

When a company founder opens their personal chequebook to buy shares in their own business, stock markets usually applaud. To the average retail investor, it feels like the ultimate vote of confidence, a sign that the people running the show have real skin in the game and believe brighter days are ahead.