Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has responded to the growing opposition against the Bengaluru Metro fare hike, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of spreading misinformation for political gain. In a detailed statement, he outlined the factors behind the fare revision and clarified that the Karnataka Government does not have full control over Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
Metro Governance and Fare Decision Process
Siddaramaiah emphasized that BMRCL is a 50:50 joint venture between the Union and Karnataka Governments, with its chairman being the Union Secretary for Housing and Urban Affairs. The corporation operates under the Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002, which is controlled by the Union Government.
He revealed that BMRCL had itself requested a fare revision from the Centre, leading to the formation of a Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) by the Union Government under the leadership of retired Madras High Court Judge Justice R. Tharani. The committee, which included representatives from both governments, was tasked with studying fare structures and submitting recommendations.
After consulting metro authorities in Delhi and Chennai and analyzing fare models, the committee submitted its final report on December 16, 2024, mandating a fare revision for Bengaluru Metro.
Rationale Behind the Fare Hike
The last fare revision took place in 2017, when Phase 1 (42.3 km) of the metro was completed. With the ongoing expansion under Phase 2, the network is set to increase to 175.55 km by 2026. Given this expansion and operational costs, a fare revision was deemed necessary.
Siddaramaiah pointed out that Bengaluru Metro’s revised fares remain competitive compared to other cities:
- Bengaluru Metro: ₹10 (minimum) – ₹60 (maximum)
- Mumbai Metro: ₹10 (minimum) – ₹80 (maximum)
He also highlighted that, under Section 37 of the Metro Railways Act, BMRCL is legally bound to implement the fare recommendations made by the Union Government-appointed committee.
Accusations Against the BJP
Criticizing the Karnataka BJP, Siddaramaiah accused its leaders of hypocrisy, stating that they take credit for Metro expansion as a Central Government achievement but shift the blame to the state government when fares increase. He urged the public to recognize the BJP’s attempts to mislead and provoke outrage for political benefit.
As protests against the fare hike continue, Siddaramaiah reassured the public that while he respects their right to question government policies, misinformation should not cloud factual understanding.
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