Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah directs BMRCL to roll back ‘abnormal’ Namma Metro fare hikes amid commuter backlash in Bengaluru
The Hindu
BMRCL has cited Section 37 of the Metro Railway Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Act, 2002, stating that fare recommendations made by the Fare Fixation Committee are binding. However, many people have pointed out that in 2021, despite a similar recommendation, then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami reduced the maximum fare on Chennai Metro from ₹70 to ₹50.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on February 13, directed Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) Managing Director Maheshwar Rao to roll back fare increases where they are ‘abnormal’, emphasising the need to protect commuters’ interests.
“The way Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has implemented the Namma Metro fare revision has led to anomalies, with fares more than doubling in certain sections,” the Chief Minister stated on X.
“I have asked the MD of BMRCL to urgently address these issues and reduce fares where increases are abnormal. Commuters’ interests must be safeguarded,” he added.
This statement comes despite Mr Siddaramaiah previously asserting that he has no control over BMRCL’s fare decisions. On February 11, he had posted on X, stating, “BMRCL is an autonomous body, meaning the Karnataka Government does not have full control over its decisions.”
On February 12, The Hindu reported that in response to widespread criticism over the sharp rise in fares, BMRCL officials were considering reviewing concerns about discrepancies in the revised fare structure.
The fare hike, which took effect on February 9, has triggered a wave of complaints from metro users. BMRCL officials have acknowledged receiving a large number of grievances regarding the fare hike.
BMRCL has cited Section 37 of the Metro Railway Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Act, 2002, stating that fare recommendations made by the Fare Fixation Committee are binding. However, many people have pointed out that in 2021, despite a similar recommendation, then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami reduced the maximum fare on Chennai Metro from ₹70 to ₹50.
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