BENGALURU: Claiming that the decision to withhold the increase in Namma Metro fares was made by the state government, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar here on Monday clarified that until the new Fare Fixation Committee (FCC) is set up, no authority, neither the Centre, nor the state, or BMRCL has the power to revise the fares.
Addressing a press meet at Vidhana Soudha after chairing a meeting on the issue, the DCM said that instructions have been given to the BMRCL officials to recalculate the fixed formula before proposing the hike.
“The proposal for fare hike has to be based on the Operation Maintenance Repair (OMR cost), variable Consumer Price Index (CPI), staff cost, per unit cost, and energy expenses,” he said. “We are fighting for the people; both the Metro and the people should survive.
The state has given Rs 5,066 crore, including loan repayment, towards the Namma Metro project”, he said. “Fare hike does not fall under anyone’s jurisdiction as it comes under FFC. Earlier, the state government was part of this committee. Now, it does not,” he replied to a query.
“The central government may have written a letter asking them to stop the fare hike. But they are not allowed to do this. If they say under which law or act they wrote the letter, let us accept it. If this needs to be decided afresh, then a new FFC should be formed,” he said.
“When I discussed the issue with the Metro Corporation, subject matter experts, and central experts in other states said the central government has no authority to make such a recommendation until a new FFC is formed.
The new committee will give directions on this. It is not that those who wrote the letter are not aware of this. I think they are not stupid,” he said. ”We have not asked for a fare increase. We have moved forward according to what the previous committee decided,” he said. “Let anyone take credit for holding the fare hike ultimately, it should be good for the people,” he added.
“The decision on the Metro fare hike was made a year ago. The FFC on Feb.9, 2025, had ordered that the 5% fare hike should be effected on Feb. 9, 2026, onwards. Accordingly, the fare hike has been made. None of those who are talking now spoke about it then,” he said.
On the claims that Namma Metro fare is higher compared to other Metros he pointed out that in Delhi, the responsibility of the security department lies with the central government as the CISF has taken the responsibility whereas in Bengaluru the state government shoulders it.
“In addition, we are also paying GST for this here. The state government has given Rs 1064.32 crore for cash loss reimbursement. We have given Rs 4,002.23 crore to the central government for loan repayment. A total of Rs 5,066. 55 crore has been given for the Metro project,” the DCM said.
State has no role: CM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Davanagere clarified that the state government plays no role in determining the fares, which are established by the Metro chairman appointed by the Central government.