‘Metro fare hike is unscientific, people are being looted’: Tejasvi Surya warns of protests

After writing to state and central leaders, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya held a press meet at his Girinagar residence, strongly opposing the proposed Namma Metro fare hike and warning of BJP protests if prices are raised again in February.

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya has openly expressed strong dissatisfaction over the proposed hike in Namma Metro ticket prices, calling it unfair, unscientific, and anti-people. A day after writing letters to state and central government leaders, the MP held a press conference at his residence in Girinagar on Saturday.

Addressing the media, Tejasvi Surya said Bengaluru Metro has now become the most expensive metro service in the country, making it difficult for ordinary citizens to depend on it for daily travel. He pointed out that when metro fares for a 10-kilometre journey in cities like Delhi, Chennai, and Kochi are compared, Bengaluru’s metro fares are almost double.

He criticised the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for planning another five per cent fare increase and accused both the state government and BMRCL of “looting people” in the name of fare revision. According to him, the calculations used by BMRCL to justify the hike are unscientific and flawed.

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The MP also raised concerns over delays in metro infrastructure projects, stating that the Orange Line project has been delayed by nearly four years. He said earlier fare hikes approved by BMRCL were wrong, and despite BJP leaders objecting and warning the authorities earlier, no corrective steps were taken.

Tejasvi Surya urged the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to stop blaming each other and instead stand together in the interest of the public. He demanded that the Karnataka government write to the central government to reconstitute the Metro Fare Fixation Committee. He assured that all Bengaluru MPs would support this move.

He clarified that the BJP would take responsibility for steps required from the central government but insisted that metro fares must be reduced. He warned that if BMRCL goes ahead with another fare hike in February, BJP workers will stage protests in front of every metro station across the city.

He further cautioned the state government against increasing fares and then shifting the blame to the central government, calling it unacceptable. “Do not rob people by increasing metro fares,” he said, reiterating that the fare fixation committee’s earlier decision itself was incorrect.