Amid widespread public discontent over the sharp increase in Bengaluru Metro fares, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday distanced the central government from the decision, asserting that the responsibility for fare determination rests with the Karnataka state government.
Speaking at a press conference, Vaishnaw stated that the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) for the Metro Rail is not controlled by Delhi and that the state government should be held accountable for the fare revision.
Vaishnaw emphasized that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Karnataka government should be questioned regarding the fare hike rather than the Centre. "The state government understands the local conditions better and should play the primary role in decision-making for metro projects. Therefore, the question about the fare increase should be directed to the Chief Minister," he remarked.
Clarifying the Centre’s stance on fare revisions, the minister reiterated, "The fare determination process is managed at the state level. The Price Fixation Committee is not based in Delhi, and any fare proposal must originate from the state government."
According to Vaishnaw, it is the state’s prerogative to handle all matters concerning Bengaluru Metro, including fare adjustments.
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The controversy erupted following the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL)’s announcement of a fare hike, which effectively doubled metro ticket prices in certain segments.
The corporation justified the increase by citing rising operational costs and the necessity to repay outstanding loans. Additionally, BMRCL introduced a peak-hour surcharge, increasing fares by 5%, following the pricing model used by ride-hailing services.
Public backlash against the decision was swift, with citizens expressing outrage and lobbying the Karnataka government for intervention. Responding to the criticism, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed BMRCL Managing Director M. Maheshwar Rao to review the fare hike and rectify instances where the prices had doubled.
The fare increase had reportedly been under consideration for some time, but Bengaluru Central MP P. C. Mohan revealed that the Modi-led central government had earlier advised BMRCL to postpone the proposed hike.
On January 29, Mohan took to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to announce, "BMRCL’s proposed 45% metro fare hike, set for Feb 1, has been put on hold. The Modi government has directed BMRCL to submit a comprehensive report before making any decision. A big win for the people of Bengaluru—ensuring transparency, accountability, and fair metro pricing."
The ongoing dispute over metro fares highlights the broader tensions between the central and state governments over urban transport policies, with each side attributing responsibility to the other. As commuters continue to voice their concerns, all eyes remain on how the Karnataka government will address the issue.
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