Karnataka Transport Minister refutes Centre’s claim on Namma Metro fare hike

Political dispute over Namma Metro fare hikes in Karnataka, with accusations of misleading by Union Government.

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A political row has erupted over Namma Metro fare hikes. After Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday (February 15, 2025) claimed that the Centre had no role in revising the fares, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Monday (February 17, 2025) accused the Centre of misleading the public, asserting that the fare revision was initiated and overseen by the Union Government through a legally mandated process.

Explaining the fare revision mechanism, Mr. Reddy clarified that Metro services come under the purview of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). “As per Section 34 of the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, the Central Government is empowered to form a Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) whenever a proposal for fare revision is submitted. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) had submitted such a proposal, following which the Centre initiated the process,” he said.

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Mr Reddy said that the three-member committee is headed by a retired High Court judge and includes one representative each from the Central and State governments. This committee gathers feedback from stakeholders and submits a report to MoHUA, whose Secretary takes the final decision on fare revision. “The State Government has no role in determining Metro fare hikes,” Mr Reddy reiterated.

On Saturday, Mr Vaishnaw had claimed in a press conference that the Centre had no role in revising Metro fares. “The price fixation committee was formed at the behest of the State Government, which can answer the question of Metro fare hikes,” he had said.

Countering this, Mr Reddy pointed out that wherever Metro rail operates in India, the fare revision follows the same process, requiring Central Government intervention. “A Fare Fixation Committee is formed, a report is prepared, and the Centre makes the final decision. The BJP is simply lying about the process,” he alleged.