Karnataka govt orders audit of Namma Metro costs to recalibrate fares; netas continue to trade barbs over fare call

BENGALURU: The political tussle over Namma Metro fares intensified Monday after deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said the state govt has directed Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) to recalculate costs before any fare revision. However, contradictory claims emerged from the BJP, Congress, and the Centre over who calls the shots when it comes to Metro pricing.

Clarifying that the Union govt had no role in the fare revision process, Shivakumar said that at a meeting with officials, including BMRCL representatives, it was decided to reassess the costs. "BMRCL announced an annual fare revision based on the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) recommendations given last year. Metro fares were revised and made effective from Feb 9 last year, and the committee has recommended revising fares annually up to 5%," said Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru development portfolio.


"Based on the FFC recommendation, BMRCL proposed to revise the fares with effect from Monday (Feb 9). But I've directed BMRCL to recalculate and come up with a revised fare. It may come down or may not after recalculation," he added.

Responding to claims that Metro fares were higher in Bengaluru than in any other city, Shivakumar said comparisons with Delhi should factor in security and taxation differences. "In Delhi, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) handles security and Goods and Services Tax is not paid. In Bengaluru, BMRCL bears significant security costs," he said.

He also said BJP leaders had demanded a fare hike until the next board meeting, but the meeting scheduled for Monday was postponed without any decision. "The board meeting was called off after the Union govt realised it could not intervene without constituting a new FFC," he said.

Responding to BJP's claims taking credit for the stay on fare hike, Shivakumar said, "I'm not seeking credit. The Centre has no role or power in this. It is a decision of the state govt, and we are committed to taking decisions in the interest of the people." He also alleged that the BJP and some MPs were politicising the issue.

He added that the state govt had provided Rs 1,064 crore to compensate for cash losses and paid Rs 4,002 crore to the Centre towards loan repayment.

However, in Davanagere, chief minister Siddaramaiah appeared to contradict Shivakumar, saying the state govt had no role in determining Metro fares and the decision rested with the Metro chairman appointed by the Centre.

Surya's ‘empty trunk' protest

On Monday, Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya arrived at RV Road Metro station carrying an empty trunk bearing a sticker that read: "Congress Sarkara, Khali Trunk Sarkara." It also had on it images of the CM and DCM.

Taking a dig at the state govt, Surya alleged that the fare hike followed a communication from state officials to the FFC stating that an increase was necessary to reduce the financial burden on the govt.

Accusing the state of splurging public money on guarantee schemes, he claimed that this had led to the withdrawal of "shadow financial support" to BMRCL. This, he alleged, forced the Metro operator to seek a steep fare hike through the FFC to offset losses.

Police stopped Surya, Jayanagar MLA CK Ramamurthy, and others from entering the Metro station. They were detained briefly before being released. Surya reiterated that the Namma Metro fare revision was put on hold only after Union housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar intervened.

BMRCL board meet cancelled

A board meeting of BMRCL, scheduled for Monday, was cancelled following instructions from the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA). On Sunday, BMRCL announced that the proposed annual fare revision of 5%, scheduled to take effect from Monday, was put on hold until further orders. It also said a decision on revised fares would be communicated after a board review.

Sources said the board meeting was indeed scheduled for Monday, but a communication from the Union govt led to its cancellation. "The reason for cancelling the meeting is not known, and it is unclear when the next meeting will be held," a source said.

The BMRCL board is chaired by the secretary of MoHUA and includes representatives from both the Union and state govts.