Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike Recalculated as State Awaits Board Decision
Citing a letter from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar stated that the Union government has written to the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited, instructing that the annual fare revision of 5% should be discussed in the company's board meeting before implementation.
State Government's Response to Centre's Directive
Shivakumar revealed that the state government has suggested BMRCL recalculate the proposed fare hike. The annual revision, mandated by the fare fixation committee, was set to increase all Bengaluru Metro fares by 5% starting Monday. However, the Centre asked for the hike to be withheld until the board meeting concludes, which has now been postponed from its original schedule.
Political Controversy and Criticism
The Deputy Chief Minister criticized the campaign by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya opposing the fare hike, noting that the decision for the 5% increase was made a year ago on February 9, 2025, with little opposition at the time. "Whoever is raising their voice now was silent," Shivakumar remarked, highlighting the political tensions surrounding the issue.
Factors Behind the Fare Hike
The proposed hike was based on increased expenses incurred by BMRCL, including:
- Operation and maintenance costs
- Energy expenditures
- Manpower and security expenses
Shivakumar compared this to Delhi Metro, where security is handled by the Centre using CISF personnel, while BMRCL bears these costs along with GST payments for services.
Future Revisions and State's Stance
On whether future revisions might be higher, Shivakumar indicated that this would be discussed once BMRCL reworks the fares. "We will also await the Centre's decision on the issue," he said, emphasizing that the state government took the initiative to withhold the hike to assist commuters within its powers.
Escalating Political Row and Protests
The metro fare revision has become a focal point of intense political debate, with the state government blaming the Centre and the BJP accusing the ruling Congress. On Monday, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya was detained by police while attempting to protest against the fare hike at the RV Road Metro station, underscoring the growing public and political unrest over the issue.
