Bengaluru, February 6: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a strong attack on the Karnataka government’s decision to increase metro fares. The party argues that this move will impose an additional burden on the common people and worsen Bengaluru’s already dire traffic situation.
On Thursday, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officially announced a 5% increase in metro fares, which will take effect from February 9.
BJP state president and legislator B.Y. Vijayendra stated that the fare hike will add to the burden on the citizens of Bengaluru and further deteriorate the city’s traffic management.
Vijayendra remarked, “Everyone is aware of Bengaluru’s traffic situation. The increasing number of vehicles daily has made commuting extremely difficult. Bengaluru is now discussed not only in India but across the globe.” He criticized the state government’s decision as unscientific, stating that raising fares is akin to rubbing salt in the public’s wounds.
He accused the state government of continuously burdening the public with increased excise duties, stamp duties, and other taxes over the past two and a half years. He claimed that the same policy is being applied to metro fares.
In response to the fare increase, opposition leader R. Ashok stated, “The corrupt Congress government has looted the tax money of Kannadigas, leaving the treasury empty, and is now shamelessly picking the pockets of commuters.”
He added, “The proposal and approval for the metro fare increase are directly related to the state government. They must immediately stop this daylight robbery.”