BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashok on Monday said that the recent hike in Bengaluru Metro fares is solely the responsibility of the state government, clarifying that the decision-making process was carried out entirely at the state level.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Ashok stated that the Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited is appointed by the Karnataka government and that all metro-related tenders are called, monitored, and executed under the state administration. He further noted that the Fare Fixation Committee had submitted its report to the Metro MD, who was nominated by the state government.
According to Ashok, the fare fixation report was not forwarded to the Central government, and the final decision to implement the revised fares was taken independently at the state level. “That is why this hike is purely the responsibility of the state government,” he said, rejecting claims that the Centre had any role in the fare revision.
The BJP leader emphasised that public inconvenience caused by the fare hike should be addressed by the state government through corrective measures and stakeholder consultation. He added that transparency and accountability are essential when decisions directly impact daily commuters.
The clarification comes amid public debate and criticism over increased metro fares in Bengaluru, with commuters raising concerns about affordability. Political observers note that urban transport pricing remains a sensitive issue, particularly in cities heavily dependent on metro services for daily travel.
