Congress and BJP Lock Horns Over Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike
A fresh political storm has erupted in Karnataka as the Congress and BJP engage in a heated exchange over the impending fare hike for the Bengaluru Metro, set to take effect from February 9. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the BJP-led Union Government of unfairly targeting the state, while opposition leaders have fired back, labeling the hike as a burden on common citizens.
CM Siddaramaiah Blames Centre for Fare Increase
In a detailed social media post, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that the proposed 5% fare hike is not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern of neglect from the Centre. He highlighted issues such as reduced tax devolution, denial of grants, and delays in infrastructure support as evidence of unfair treatment.
"This fare hike fits a larger pattern of how the BJP-led Union Government repeatedly hurts Karnataka," Siddaramaiah asserted, directly blaming the BJP for the upcoming increases that will affect daily commuters, students, and low-income groups.
Legal Framework and Fare Fixation Committee
Siddaramaiah clarified that under the Metro Railways (Operation & Maintenance) Act, 2002, metro fares are determined by an independent Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) constituted solely by the Government of India through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. "Neither the State Government nor the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation has the legal authority to override or disregard these recommendations," he emphasized.
He accused the BJP of "a deliberate attempt to mislead the public" by attributing the fare revision to the Karnataka Government, calling it factually incorrect and dishonest. Siddaramaiah announced plans to urge the Centre to reconsider the fare levels and explore mechanisms to moderate costs for vulnerable groups.
BJP Accuses Congress of Misleading Public
In response, BJP leaders have launched a counterattack. R Ashok, Leader of the Opposition in the state legislature, criticized the Congress government, alleging corruption and mismanagement. "The corrupt Congress government is now ruthlessly pickpocketing from passengers," he said, noting that Bengaluru Metro already has the highest fares in India.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya from Bengaluru South has raised concerns about errors in the fare revision process. In a letter to the Centre, he claimed that the 2025 Fare Fixation Committee used an incorrect base year of 2016-17 for computing operating costs, leading to a deviation from standard methodology. This, he argued, resulted in an average fare increase of 50%, making Bengaluru Metro the most expensive in the country.
Details of the Fare Hike
The Bengaluru Metro will implement a 5% fare increase from February 9, with fares rounded to the nearest rupee when the increase exceeds 50 paise. Key changes include:
- Minimum fare rising from Rs 10 to Rs 11 for journeys up to 2 km.
- Maximum fare increasing from Rs 90 to Rs 95 for trips beyond 25 km.
This adjustment reinforces Namma Metro's status as India's most expensive metro system. Last year, a significant fare revision by BMRCL sparked public outrage, leading to a cap at a 71% increase after initial proposals exceeded 100% in some categories.
Political Implications and Public Reaction
The ongoing dispute highlights deep political divisions in Karnataka, with both parties using the metro fare issue to score points ahead of future elections. Public commuters express frustration over rising costs, calling for more transparency and accountability in fare-setting processes.
As the debate intensifies, stakeholders await further developments, including potential interventions from the Centre and responses from metro authorities. The fare hike is set to impact millions of daily riders, making it a critical issue for urban mobility and governance in Bengaluru.
