Bengaluru: Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya on Tuesday strongly opposed the proposed hike in Bengaluru Metro fares, warning of large-scale protests against the Karnataka government and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) if the increase is implemented.
Addressing a press conference at his residence, Surya said that Bengaluru Metro has today become the most expensive metro system in the country, discouraging common citizens from using public transport. He pointed out that metro fares for a 10-kilometre journey in cities like Delhi, Chennai, and Kochi are significantly lower, while Bengaluru commuters are forced to pay nearly double.
The MP criticised BMRCL’s move to increase metro fares by another 5% from February, calling it “unjustifiable and anti-people.” He accused the state government and BMRCL of financially burdening commuters instead of promoting public transport usage.
Surya also raised concerns over the severe delay in the Orange Line metro project, which he said has remained stalled for nearly four years. He held BMRCL accountable for the delay and demanded answers on the lack of progress.
Referring to the earlier fare fixation committee’s recommendations, Surya said the committee’s decision itself was flawed and that BJP leaders had already flagged the issue. “Despite repeated warnings, BMRCL ignored the concerns. Even now, the government must correct this mistake,” he said.
The BJP MP urged the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to stop politicising the issue and stand with the people of Bengaluru. He demanded that the state government immediately write to the Centre seeking the reconstitution of the Metro Fare Fixation Committee, adding that all Bengaluru MPs would extend full support for the move.
Issuing a clear warning, Surya said that if BMRCL proceeds with another fare hike in February, the BJP will stage massive protests outside every metro station in Bengaluru. “Looting commuters through irrational fare hikes must stop immediately,” he asserted.
He further accused the state government of shifting blame to the Centre after approving fare hikes, and said such attempts would not be accepted. “We will not tolerate anti-people, unscientific metro fare increases under any circumstances. The interests of Bengaluru’s commuters must come first,” Surya said.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಮೆಟ್ರೋ ದರ ಏರಿಕೆ ವಿರೋಧಿಸಿ ಸಂಸದ ತೇಜಸ್ವಿ ಸೂರ್ಯ ಎಚ್ಚರಿಕೆ, ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆಗೆ ಬಿಜೆಪಿ ಸಜ್ಜು
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