Bengaluru: After bus fares, you may have to shell out more on Metro, water services too!

People are set to face higher costs in multiple public services, following the recent approval of government bus fare hikes and impending fare increases for the Bengaluru Metro (BMRCL). A meeting to discuss the metro fare hike will be held in the second week of January, signaling another financial burden for commuters in the city.

Also Read: Karnataka: KSRTC proposes 10% bus fare hike amid rising living costs

Additionally, water prices may also rise by the end of January. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has hinted at the increase, citing substantial financial losses faced by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The board is reportedly losing Rs 41 crore every month, and after the completion of the fifth phase of the Cauvery Water Project, the losses have escalated to Rs 82 crore. This growing deficit is being cited as the primary reason for the inevitable price hike in water supply.

The recent 15% hike in BMTC bus fares, coupled with the planned metro fare increases, is expected to strain the daily commuter. The Karnataka government’s expenditure on various welfare schemes, totaling Rs 58,000 crore, is also being criticized for exacerbating the fiscal challenges. The opposition has launched protests against the hikes, calling them a burden on the common man. The government faces growing pressure to balance public welfare with fiscal responsibility.