Bengaluru Metro has become costliest in country due to anomalies in fare fixation: Tejasvi Surya
Bengaluru (PTI): Bengaluru Metro has become the costliest in the country, thanks to the state government's "negligence" in correcting mistakes caused by anomalies in fare fixation, Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya said on Saturday.
Bengaluru metro travel now costs nearly twice as much as in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, leading to a reduction in the number of metro users, he said.
Alleging that the state government and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) are now looking to hike fares by another 5 per cent in February to offset losses in operations and maintenance, the MP said that these losses are largely the result of frequent delays in metro construction, which significantly increase project costs.
Warning of protests against the fare hike, he urged CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar to show at least some concern for the interests of daily metro commuters by forming a new Fare Fixation Committee and determining a revised fare structure, upholding transparency and the interests of commuters.
Surya on Friday had written to Union Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, and BMRCL Managing Director J Ravishankar to reconstitute the Fare Fixation Committee (FFC) for the Metro Rail, citing serious anomalies in the recent fare revision, which he said have placed an undue financial burden on commuters.
In February 2025, the BMRCL introduced revised prices as per FCC recommendation, resulting in ticket costs going up by up to 71 per cent on a few routes, with maximum rates reaching to Rs 90.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, this punishment meted out to people who use public transport is extremely unfortunate.
"Even before the people are coming out of the last fare hike, which was done only ten months ago, the state government and BMRCL are proposing another 5 per cent fare hike that will come into effect from February 1. This is extremely unfortunate. Governments must be encouraging public transport, especially in cities like Bengaluru where traffic congestion is killing productivity and quality of life. Instead of that BMRCL and the state government are punishing those using public transport like the metro," he added.
Saying that that the earlier fare fixation committee committed many blunders, unscientific analysis as the result of which the Bengaluru metro prices became "sky high", the MP said, the demand is that the state government initiate the process to appoint a new fare fixation committee, which will scientifically assess the rate that needs to levied on tickets.
Only based on the new fare fixation committee's recommendations, the proposed February fare hike should come into effect, he insisted.
"The state government, if it does not heed to all the demands and cries of the commuters and if it goes ahead with this unscientific and anti public second time fare hike, at every metro station lakhs of metro users will join hands to protest," he added.
To a question on the state government blaming the centre for fare hike, when it happened last time, Surya said, the responsibility of fixing the fare is not dependent on the state or the central government, it is dependent primarily on the fare fixation committee, which is constituted at the instance of the state government's request.
"There are not one but ten letters written by the state government and MDs of BMRCL requesting the central government to constitute a fare fixation committee, it is on the state government's request the committee was constituted. Today you (state) are blaming the central government, but not accepting accountability for what is primarily your duty and your fault," he said.
Questioning, if the central government is the authority which will hike the metro fare across the country, then why is it that metro prices have not increased in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, commensurate to the increase that has taken place in Bengaluru, Surya said, "If it were a political conspiracy like how the Congress is trying to portray it to be, why there is no hike in cities, of the states that face election, like Chennai and Kolkata?"
Saying that if the centre intended to bring bad name to state governments, they would have increased metro fare in Kolkata and Chennai, he accused the state government of "blatant lying".
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UK PM Keir Starmer takes ‘China matters’ message on first Beijing visit
London (PTI): “Like it or not, China matters to the UK,” is the message British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking on his visit to Beijing on Wednesday, accompanied by a 60-strong business and cultural delegation.
Downing Street said the visit, which will also cover Shanghai, reflects the UK’s “clear-eyed and realistic” approach to China in terms of opportunities and challenges they pose by continuing to pursue cooperation while “maintaining guardrails” when it comes to the country’s national security.
The Labour Party government is keen to highlight its re-engagement with China with this first visit in eight years, coming close on the heels of a ministerial go-ahead for its controversial new “mega embassy” in London.
“For years, our approach to China has been dogged by inconsistency – blowing hot and cold, from Golden Age to Ice Age. But like it or not, China matters for the UK,” Starmer said in a pre-visit statement.
“As one of the world’s biggest economic players, a strategic and consistent relationship with them is firmly in our national interest. That does not mean turning a blind eye to the challenges they pose – but engaging even where we disagree.
“This is what our allies do, and what I will do: delivering for the public, putting more money in their pockets and keeping them safe through pragmatic, consistent cooperation abroad,” he said.
The UK PM is set to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Thursday for talks on trade, investment and national security, before travelling to Shanghai for a range of engagements with British and Chinese businesses.
Accompanied by a delegation of leading UK-based businesses, including Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover, sporting institutions, museums and theatre groups, Starmer is expected to push for access in areas such as the financial services sector, creative industries and life sciences.
“However, he will be clear that we will not trade economic cooperation for our national security. He will raise the areas where we disagree with China – being clear that we will always defend our national security and where viewpoints differ, frank and open dialogue is of vital importance,” Downing Street said.
Describing China as the world’s second largest economy, a crucial player in global supply chains and a growing military power, the UK said it is important to engage with its third-largest trading partner which supports 3,70,000 British jobs.
“We want to see trade flourish between us. From financial services to advanced manufacturing and the global energy transition, the UK’s strengths increasingly align with the rapidly evolving Chinese economy,” said Peter Kyle, the Business and Trade Secretary travelling with Starmer.
“The first duty of government is security, and we protect ourselves best through active engagement and pragmatic cooperation, not by shutting the door,” he said.
The visit follows the 2025 Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) that the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) claimed secured 600 million pounds in immediate benefits and the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) since 2018.
“The UK’s world-leading financial services sector is a cornerstone of our economy. With deep and liquid markets, and the FTSE hitting all-time highs, there are real opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation with China which supports jobs for working people and growth for businesses across Britain,” said Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, also part of the ministerial delegation.
The Opposition Conservatives have criticised Starmer’s approach to China, amid human rights concerns and espionage fears. “Starmer has already surrendered to the Chinese Communist Party over their plan for a spy-hub super embassy in the heart of our capital,” said shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel.
“The evidence is overwhelming that China poses a serious threat to our national security and it is clear Starmer is going to China without any leverage. He lacks the backbone to stand up for Britain and is bending over backwards to appease Beijing,” she said.
Following his trip to China, Starmer is set to travel to Tokyo to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to reinforce the UK-Japan partnership, said to be worth over 100 billion pounds and supporting 2,00,000 UK jobs.
