Bengaluru Metro Fare Increase Suspended Following Government Directive
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) has officially suspended the implementation of its annual fare adjustment, which was originally scheduled to take effect on February 9. This significant decision comes after intervention from the Karnataka state government, putting a temporary halt to what would have been increased commuting costs for thousands of daily passengers.
Government Takes Charge of Fare Revision Process
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar clarified on Monday that the decision to pause the fare hike was made exclusively by the Karnataka government. "The decision to put the fare hike on hold was made by the Karnataka Government; the central government has no role in this," Shivakumar stated emphatically.
The deputy CM revealed he has directed BMRCL officials to prepare a completely revised fare structure. He explained that the existing fare increase formula considers multiple factors including Operation and Maintenance (OMR) costs, Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments, and energy expenses. "Based on this, I have directed them to come up with a revised fare," Shivakumar said, drawing comparisons to Delhi's metro system where security and other aspects receive central government support.
BMRCL Confirms Suspension and Board Review
In an official statement released on Sunday, BMRCL confirmed that its previous notification regarding the tariff update would not be implemented until further instructions. "The media release dated February 5 announcing the implementation of the annual fare revision with effect from February 9 has been kept on hold till further orders," the corporation declared.
The metro authority emphasized that the fare issue will undergo thorough review by its board before any final resolution is reached. "The decision on the revised fare will be communicated after the board's review," BMRCL added, while reaffirming its commitment to passenger welfare and affordable services.
Political Reactions and Controversy
The fare suspension has sparked political debate, with opposition parties criticizing the state government's handling of the situation. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya conducted consultations with metro passengers on Sunday, collecting their opinions about the proposed fare changes.
Surya later told journalists that passengers expressed frustration with constant price fluctuations and accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar of "deceiving the citizens" by allegedly blaming the central government for the fare increase. The BJP leader also called for the establishment of a proper Fare Fixation Committee to ensure transparent pricing mechanisms.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy placed responsibility for the metro fare surge squarely on the state administration. He claimed that although the central government urged state leadership not to implement the increase, Karnataka authorities were determined to proceed with it initially.
Background on Fare Determination Process
The fare adjustment mechanism follows established protocols, with the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) conducting comprehensive assessments of operational expenditures and other relevant factors. Shivakumar referenced this process, noting that "FFC has done all the workouts of expenditure and other things" according to the established formula.
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar had reportedly directed officials to temporarily put the planned metro fare increase on standby. Surya noted that the minister promised a private assessment of discrepancies in the FFC's calculations and mentioned that a new panel could be considered if requested by regional administration.
Despite the political controversy, BMRCL maintains its focus on service quality. "The BMRCL remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable metro services to the citizens of Bengaluru," the corporation affirmed in its statement, emphasizing passenger welfare as its priority during this fare review period.
