Bengaluru Metro fare hike: BJP misleading public by spreading distorted info: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru, Feb 11 (IANS) Under fire over fare hike in Bengaluru Metro, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah came down heavily on the opposition BJP, charging that the party is misleading the public by spreading distorted information.

Clarifying to the media in this regard in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said, “In light of the opposition to the fare hike of Bengaluru Metro Rail, I would like to present some factual information to the people of Bengaluru.”

He stated, “The opposition party, BJP, is once again misleading the public by spreading false and distorted information to target the state government. While people have the right to oppose any government policy, which I fully respect as their constitutional right, it is unacceptable for the BJP, in its role as the opposition, to intentionally spread misinformation and provoke public protests for political gains.”

On one hand, BJP leaders boast that the development of Metro Rail is an achievement of the central government, but on the other hand, when people express anger over fare revisions, they shift the blame onto the state government. This is nothing but deceitful behaviour, CM Siddaramaiah alleged.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) was established as a joint venture between the Central Government and the Karnataka Government, with both having an equal (50:50) partnership. The current Chairman of BMRCL is Srinivas Katikithala, who is also the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Both central and state government officials hold positions as Managing Directors and Directors, CM Siddaramaiah stated.

BMRCL is an autonomous body, and the state government does not have complete control over its decisions. Like Metro Rail Corporations in other cities, BMRCL is governed by the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, under the central government, the CM said.

Since 2017, Metro fares have not been revised. Recognising this, BMRCL had written to the central government requesting fare revisions. If the state government had full authority over Metro fares, why would BMRCL write to the central government instead of addressing the state government directly? CM Siddaramaiah stated.

In response to BMRCL’s request, the central government appointed a Fare Revision Committee, chaired by retired Madras High Court Justice R. Tharani, which included representatives from both central and state governments. The central government directed this committee to submit its recommendations within three months after taking charge on September 16, 2024, the CM stated.

During this period, the committee conducted discussions with BMRCL officials and also visited Metro corporations in Delhi and Chennai to study their fare structures and operations, he said.

When fares were initially set in June 2017, only 42.30 km of Phase 1 Metro was operational. Now, with the partial completion of Phase 2, the network has expanded further. By December 2026, with the completion of Phases 2, 2A, and 2B, Bengaluru Metro will expand to 175.55 km, CM Siddaramaiah stated.

Taking all these factors into account, the committee submitted its report on December 16, 2024, in 10 detailed chapters. The committee also analysed fare structures of other Metro services in India, he said.

Except for Delhi Metro, Metro corporations in other states had independently determined their initial fare structures. However, fare revisions are now decided by a committee appointed by the central government, he maintained.

According to Section 37 of the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, BMRCL is legally bound to implement the fare recommendations of the Fare Revision Committee, he emphasised.

Thus, it is clear that the fare hike decision was not made solely by the state government, and the opposition’s claims are misleading, CM Siddaramaiah concluded.

Demanding immediate rollback of the Metro fare hike, a BJP delegation met with the Metro MD M. Maheshwar Rao on Monday, describing it as the steepest Metro fare hike in the country.

Bengaluru MLA Ravi Subramanya criticised the state government for already burdening the public with multiple price hikes and further increasing Metro fares by 46 per cent. He also insisted that essential facilities should be provided at Metro stations.

“The Metro is meant for the public. Prioritising profits is not the right approach. The project was implemented to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion, and even the central government has provided financial aid for this purpose. The fare increase is unfair,” he stated.

Last Saturday, the Bengaluru Metro Railway Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) announced a revision of Metro ticket prices, starting from Rs 10 for travel of 2 km up to Rs 90 for travel up to 30 km. The revised prices have come into effect from Sunday.

The official statement by the BMRCL stated that the new ticket prices are fixed at Rs 10 for 0 to 2 km distance; Rs 20 for 2 to 4 km; Rs 30 for 4 to 6 km; Rs 40 for 6 to 8 km; Rs 50 for 8 to 10 km; Rs 60 for 10 to 15 km; Rs 70 for 15 to 20 km; Rs 80 for 20 to 25 km; and Rs 90 for 25 to 30 km. For above 30 km, the ticket price will remain Rs 90.

–IANS

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