Karnataka Transport Minister Blames Center for Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike

Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy accused the central government of being responsible for the Bengaluru metro fare hike and alleged BJP leaders of spreading false information. He urged intervention from Prime Minister Modi and highlighted the role of the Fare Fixation Committee in the fare adjustments.

Karnataka's Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has criticized the central government for the increased Bengaluru metro fare, charging BJP leaders with disseminating misinformation to the public. Reddy stressed the need for intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, to reverse the fare adjustments.

He cited the fare hike, which saw a maximum fare increase from Rs 60 to Rs 90, was based on the recommendation of the Fare Fixation Committee. This committee, chaired by retired judge R Tharani, decided on the price adjustments after evaluating public and stakeholder input. Despite criticism, Reddy emphasized the statutory procedures followed by the committee.

Reddy accused the BJP of making baseless allegations against the Congress-led state government, asserting that the central government's decisions were behind the fare hike. He urged political adversaries to familiarize themselves with the Metro Act and clarified that the state government had no part in the fare hike decision.