Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike Sparks Political Confrontation Over Urban Infrastructure Concerns

As Bengaluru prepares for a metro fare increase from February 9, the decision has triggered a sharp political confrontation, bringing urban infrastructure concerns back into public debate. The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited has confirmed a 5% ticket price hike under its annual revision policy, but the announcement has drawn strong criticism from Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya. Tejasvi Surya has criticised the Karnataka state government following the announcement of a metro fare increase, arguing that commuters are being burdened while several civic concerns remain unresolved. The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has confirmed that metro ticket prices across the network will increase by 5 per cent starting February 9, 2026. The revision is part of a policy framework recommended by the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), which introduces a structured annual fare revision system. Reacting to the announcement, Surya accused the Congress-led state government of prioritising fare hikes over essential infrastructure and civic development. In a post shared on social media, he questioned the government’s decision to approve higher metro fares despite ongoing urban challenges faced by Bengaluru residents. The MP highlighted several issues he claims have been neglected, including delays in the implementation of the suburban rail project, the continued presence of pothole-ridden roads, inadequate garbage management, and the failure to conduct local body elections. He also raised concerns over delays in metro expansion projects, suggesting that the administration has not delivered on key infrastructure commitments. Surya remarked that while major civic works remain incomplete, the government has moved swiftly to approve the fare increase, implying that the burden of these decisions is falling on daily commuters. BMRCL, however, stated that the fare revision follows the guidelines set under the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002. According to the corporation, the decision is based on recommendations made by the first Fare Fixation Committee constituted specifically for Bengaluru Metro operations. Officials explained that the annual revision mechanism has been introduced to ensure fare adjustments remain gradual and predictable. The system is intended to prevent large and sudden fare increases in the future by allowing smaller, regular revisions aligned with operational and maintenance costs. Despite the policy justification provided by BMRCL, the fare increase has sparked political debate. Opposition voices have argued that the timing of the hike places additional financial pressure on commuters who rely on the metro as an affordable and reliable mode of public transport. The issue has also drawn attention to broader discussions around urban governance and infrastructure planning in Bengaluru, a city that continues to experience rapid population growth and rising transportation demands. With the fare revision set to take effect from February 9, the development is expected to remain a topic of public and political discussion as commuters and stakeholders assess its impact on daily travel costs and overall urban mobility in the city.