Karnataka Government Clarifies Stand on Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike

Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar clarified that the state had no role in the Bengaluru Metro fare hike, a decision made by an independent committee. The revised fares, under scrutiny for steep increases, prompted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to urge a review, ensuring commuters' interests are protected.

In a recent statement, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar clarified that the state government had no involvement in the decision to increase Bengaluru Metro fares. Shivakumar emphasized that the move was made by an independent committee tasked with fare revisions, and the state merely conveyed its opinions without final authority.

The statement arrives amid public backlash over the fare changes, which have significantly impacted commuters. Shivakumar pointed out that the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) operates as an autonomous body, jointly owned by both the Central and Karnataka governments.

Further elaboration by the Karnataka Chief Minister's Office highlighted BMRCL's appeal to the central government due to no fare revision since 2017. Consequently, a fare revision committee, led by retired Madras High Court judge R. Tharani, was formed. Having examined various metro systems and consulted with officials across cities, the committee submitted its comprehensive report, factoring in passenger inputs and financial analyses.

However, the revisions sparked concerns, especially as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah noted fare anomalies with some routes seeing over 100% increases. Via a social media update, Siddaramaiah urged BMRCL's management to review and adjust fares deemed excessively high, prioritizing commuter welfare.