The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited has suspended a proposed 5% fare increase scheduled for February 9 amid escalating political tensions between the Karnataka state government and the Centre. BJP leaders accuse the state of pushing for the hike, while the Congress defends that fare decisions rest with a central committee. Commuters' interests remain a priority as the matter heads to the BMRCL board.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced on February 9, 2026, that it is holding off on implementing an annual fare revision for Bengaluru's Namma Metro, originally set to begin that day. This decision comes amid a heated political dispute between the ruling Congress in Karnataka and opposition parties BJP and JD(S).
In a statement, BMRCL said: “The media release dated February 5 announcing the implementation of the annual fare revision with effect from February 9 has been kept on hold till further orders.” The corporation added that the issue would be reviewed by its board before any final call, with the revised fares to be communicated afterward.
The proposed hike would have increased fares by about 5%, adding ₹1 to ₹5 across slabs, with minimum fares rising to ₹11 and maximum to ₹95. This follows a significant revision in February 2025, which raised prices by an average of 51.55% before discounts.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who met commuters to gauge their reactions, alleged that Karnataka government officials had repeatedly urged the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) for upward revisions due to the state's financial constraints. He claimed they requested an automatic annual adjustment formula. Surya said he discussed the matter with Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who instructed a temporary hold and promised a review of FFC anomalies, potentially forming a new committee if requested.
On X, Surya posted: “Had a detailed phone conversation with Union MoHUA Minister Sri @mlkhattar Ji now, seeking his immediate intervention against the State Government’s unjust Bengaluru Metro fare hike... He has instructed that the proposed hike be kept on hold temporarily.”
JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy echoed this, accusing the state of insisting on the hike despite central advice against it and then blaming the Centre.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah countered that the state has no role in fare decisions, citing the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002, which empowers an independent FFC appointed by the Union government. “Blaming Karnataka is, therefore, factually incorrect and deliberately misleading,” he said. The Congress called Surya's stance hypocritical, questioning central intervention if it lacks authority.
BMRCL emphasized: “BMRCL remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable metro services to the citizens of Bengaluru.” The standoff highlights ongoing Centre-state frictions over urban infrastructure.
