Bengaluru sees protests against metro fare revision as CM Siddaramaiah rebuffs BJP's claims, citing central control over fare decisions.
Published Feb 11, 2025 | 9:08 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 11, 2025 | 9:08 PM
BJP staged protests across Bengaluru. (Supplied)
Synopsis: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has clarified that his government lacks direct control over Bengaluru Metro fare increases, stating that BMRCL, an autonomous body jointly established by state and Union governments, had sought approval from the Centre for the revisions. The BJP led protests against recent fare hikes and accused the state government of responsibility, which Siddaramaiah countered by explaining that a Central Government-appointed committee determines fare revisions that BMRCL must implement.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday, 11 February, asserted that his government has no direct control over Bengaluru Metro fares, following protests and backlash over fare increases that took effect on Sunday, 9 February.
In a detailed post on X, Siddaramaiah clarified that since the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is an autonomous body, established in equal partnership between the Karnataka state government and the Union government, and that it had written to the Centre for fare increases.
“If the state government had the power to increase fares, why would BMRCL write to the central government instead of writing to us?” he questioned.
“All states except Delhi Metro initially fixed their fares through their respective metro corporations. Now a committee appointed by the Central BJP Government fixes the fares.”
“According to Section 37 of the Metro Railway (Operation and Management) Act, Metro Railway Corporations (in this case BMRCL) must implement the Fare Fixing Committee’s report.”
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಮೆಟ್ರೊ ರೈಲಿನ ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ದರ ಹೆಚ್ಚಳಕ್ಕೆ ವಿರೋಧ ವ್ಯಕ್ತವಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲವು ವಾಸ್ತವಾಂಶಗಳನ್ನು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಜನತೆಯ ಮುಂದಿಡಲು ಬಯಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.
ಮೆಟ್ರೋ ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ದರ ಹೆಚ್ಚಳವನ್ನು ವಿರೋಧಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ವಿರೋಧ ಪಕ್ಷವಾದ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯ ನಾಯಕರು ಯಥಾಪ್ರಕಾರ ಸುಳ್ಳು ಮತ್ತು ತಿರುಚಿದ ಮಾಹಿತಿಯನ್ನು ಬಳಸಿಕೊಂಡು ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ…
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) February 11, 2025
The BMRCL operates under the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, which is governed by the Central Government.
BMRCL had not revised fares since 2017 and had written to the Central Government requesting a fare revision, which led to the formation of a Fare Revision Committee chaired by retired Madras High Court Judge R Tharani.
The committee, formed on 16 September 2024, studied fare structures of other metro networks, consulted officials from Delhi and Chennai metros and reviewed financial data before submitting its report on 16 December 2024.
The chief minister noted that when fares were last fixed in 2017, Bengaluru Metro’s network spanned only 42.3 km. With partial completion of Phase two, the network has expanded, and by December 2026, it expects to reach 175.55 km.
The committee determined revised fares ranging from ₹10 to ₹90 after studying metro fare structures in other cities, including Mumbai (₹10 to ₹80) and Delhi (₹10 to ₹50 per stage).
Siddaramaiah further highlighted that except for Delhi Metro, fare revisions across India are conducted by committees appointed by the Central Government. Under Section 37 of the Metro Railways Act, metro corporations must implement the committee’s recommendations.
The BJP led protests against the fare increases on Monday, 10 February, with demonstrations at key metro stations, including MG Road, Kengeri, Jayanagar, and Mahalakshmi Layout. Former BBMP members, BJP South District Mandal presidents, and party leaders led the agitation.
Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of misleading the public by falsely implying that the fare revisions were a direct responsibility of the state government.
#Karnataka: @BJP4Karnataka workers from the C.V. Raman Nagar Assembly constituency protested against the metro fare hike near the MG Road Metro Station in #Bengaluru.
BJP Yeshwanthpur workers protested at Kengeri Metro Station. Party workers from the Mahalakshmi Layout Assembly… pic.twitter.com/iOe8SCLBxr
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) February 10, 2025
“Opposition BJP party leaders who oppose the metro fare increase are misleading the public by making allegations against the state government using false and distorted information. The public has the right to oppose any government policy or decision, and I respect their constitutional right,” he wrote.
“The state BJP in opposition is inexcusably providing false information and encouraging public protests with political malice.”
“BJP leaders claim credit for metro rail construction by the central government. They blame the public for the price revision, but seeing public anger, they blame the state government.”
While the fare hike has sparked public outrage, the government has defended the decision, citing financial sustainability and metro expansion needs.
Commuters, especially daily wage workers and office-goers, have expressed concerns over rising travel costs, with many calling for alternative relief measures, such as increased discounts for regular passengers.
Meanwhile, the BJP has vowed to continue protests, arguing that the fare hike disproportionately affects middle-class and low-income commuters.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
