Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike Put On Hold: BMRCL Defers Revision Amid Political Crossfire

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced on Sunday, February 8, 2026, that the planned annual fare revision has been placed on hold. The decision comes after a week of political maneuvering between the Karnataka state government and the Centre, alongside growing public frustration over Namma Metro becoming the “costliest urban rail network” in India.

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1. The Volte-Face: Why the Hike was Halted

The reversal follows a flurry of activity in both New Delhi and Bengaluru over the weekend:

• The Union Intervention: Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar reportedly instructed BMRCL to pause the hike after a request from Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya. Surya alleged “arithmetic errors” in the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) report and criticized the state for withdrawing “Shadow Cash Support” (SCS).
• The Board Review: BMRCL stated that the matter will now be placed before its board. A final decision will only be communicated after a thorough review of the financial and public implications.
• The Commuter Backlash: Citizen forums and commuter groups had planned protests at major stations like RV Road and Majestic, arguing that the 5% annual hike was “unjust” given the massive 71% increase implemented in early 2025.

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2. The Blame Game: State vs. Centre

The fare revision has triggered a sharp war of words over who holds the “legal remote control” for Metro pricing.

The State Government (Congress)	The Opposition & Centre (BJP/JDS)
Siddaramaiah: Claims the FFC is an independent body formed by the Centre under the 2002 Act; its report is binding on the state.	Tejasvi Surya: Alleges the state officials pushed for the hike to cover financial deficits and stopped subsidies provided by previous governments.
Priyank Kharge: Accuses the Centre of “starving” BMRCL of funds, forcing the state to bear 87% of expansion costs.	HD Kumaraswamy: Accuses the state of “passing the buck” despite being a 50% stakeholder in the project.

3. Namma Metro: Current vs. Proposed (On Hold)

The suspended fare structure intended to move toward an “automatic” annual increase to avoid sudden, steep jumps in ticket prices.

• Minimum Fare: Was to rise from ₹10 to ₹11.
• Maximum Fare: Was to rise from ₹90 to ₹95.
• Mechanism: An annual 5% hike (or inflation-linked) was recommended by the FFC to ensure long-term financial viability.
• Operational Status: BMRCL reported an operational profit of ₹229.4 crore in 2025, but the FFC maintains that external loan repayments necessitate higher fare revenue.

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4. What Happens Next?

The “temporary relief” for commuters remains in a state of suspense:

1. FFC Reconstitution: The Centre has indicated it may form a fresh Fare Fixation Committee if the Karnataka government makes a formal request.
2. Board Meeting: BMRCL officials will present a detailed financial necessity report to the board members (comprising both State and Central representatives).
3. Revenue Gap: Experts warn that if the hike is scrapped, the state might have to provide an additional ₹400 crore per year in shadow cash support to prevent a net loss by 2030.

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