Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike Sparks Political Clash Between Congress and BJP
Bengaluru residents face growing anxiety over a proposed 5% increase in Namma Metro fares scheduled for February. This potential hike threatens to squeeze household budgets further. The issue has rapidly escalated into a fierce political battle between the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP.
Political Blame Game Intensifies
Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya launched a strong attack against the state government and Namma Metro operator BMRCL. He accused them of permitting "fare anomalies" and demanded the formation of a new fare fixation committee. Surya claimed Bengaluru now has the most expensive metro system in India.
Congress responded swiftly with a sharp rebuttal. The party argued that the state government holds no legal authority to determine metro fares. They placed full responsibility on the BJP-led central government.
Legal Framework and Responsibilities
In a detailed social media post, Congress explained the legal structure governing metro fares. They noted that fares are established under the Metro Railways (Operations & Maintenance) Act of 2002, which is a central legislation.
Congress stated clearly: "BMRCL operates as a 50:50 joint venture between the Centre and state, not as a state entity. The fare fixation committee receives appointment from the Union government, not the state. The BMRCL chairman serves as secretary of the ministry of housing and urban affairs, a BJP-appointed authority based in Delhi."
The party emphasized that Section 37 of the Act makes FFC recommendations legally binding. They asserted the state government possesses zero legal power to stop, revise, or roll back fares.
Escalating Political Rhetoric
Congress intensified their criticism of Surya with pointed remarks. "If Bengaluru's metro fares rank as the highest in the country, ask your own BJP government at the Centre why? Instead of conveniently avoiding responsibility, Congress has consistently opposed unfair fare hikes. We demand moderation within the limited space the law permits. Stop gaslighting Bengaluru. Stop playing victim while holding the remote control."
Surya had earlier blamed the state government for transforming Bengaluru into India's costliest metro system. He claimed metro travel in Bengaluru now costs nearly double compared to Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. This price difference has resulted in decreased ridership, according to his statements.
Root Causes and Project Delays
Surya alleged the proposed 5% hike aims to cover operational and maintenance losses. He attributed these losses to project execution delays by BMRCL. Citing the Orange Line project as an example, Surya noted the Union government approved the project within 100 days of assuming power.
However, BMRCL floated tenders only after a delay exceeding eighteen months. This postponement led to significant cost escalation. "This financial burden ultimately transfers to metro users through fare hikes," Surya declared.
Commuters Face Uncertainty
Metro passengers find themselves caught in this political crossfire with little hope for immediate relief. A senior BMRCL source revealed the corporation's board approved the FFC report completely last year. Under existing law, these recommendations remain binding, making the 5% increase difficult to avoid.
BMRCL chief PRO BL Yeshwanth Chavan offered no comments when contacted about the issue. He stated, "We have no comments on this issue at this juncture."
Previous Fare Increases and Future Impact
In February last year, BMRCL implemented a substantial fare hike exceeding 110% based on FFC recommendations. Following strong public opposition, authorities revised the fare matrix and capped the maximum increase at 71%. Even this reduced hike placed heavy strain on commuters.
Now, an additional 5% hike under the 'automatic fare formula' recommended by the FFC threatens to burden hundreds of thousands of daily Namma Metro users further. This increase comes as Bengaluru prepares for Greater Bengaluru Authority elections, adding political significance to the fare debate.
The political confrontation shows no signs of resolution. Both parties continue trading accusations while commuters worry about mounting transportation costs. The legal framework appears to favor the fare increase, leaving passengers with limited options for relief.
