BMRCL to decide on Metro fare hike, water tariff increase inevitable: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Feb 6 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday said that Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited will decide on the metro fare hike.
He was addressing the media at the BMRCL office after inspecting with the officials concerned.
When asked about the metro fare, he said, "A committee has submitted its report on the metro fare increase. The corporation has already made a decision. I will not meddle in the report’s contents." Further, he said, "A central committee led by a judge has been formed for this. The Karnataka government will not interfere in this." Regarding the water tariff hike, he said, the proposal to increase drinking water tariffs will be placed before the Cabinet.
"It has been 14 years since the last hike. The board is incurring an annual loss of Rs 1,000 crore, making the hike inevitable. BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) Chairperson Jayaram has already submitted a report, which will be presented to the Cabinet," added Shivakumar.
On electricity tariff hikes, he said, last time, the Karnataka government reduced electricity rates. "But the media never highlights that. They only report on price increases," he said.
The Deputy CM also said measures to address Bengaluru’s traffic congestion, including constructing double-decker roads along new metro routes and city beautication, have been approved.
"All new metro routes will have double-decker infrastructure, covering about 40 km. We are planning for the next 30-40 years. Costs will be shared 50:50 between BBMP and BMRCL," Shivakumar added.
According to him, the additional expense for double-deckers is Rs 9,800 crore. "A pilot project in Ragigudda was successful, but further improvements are needed," he said.
Shivakumar added future metro stations must have adequate parking facilities.
"Currently, people park vehicles on roadsides and private properties to use the metro. We have directed officials to address this. For Phase 3 metro routes, double-decker infrastructure is mandatory. Road widening is becoming difficult due to rising land acquisition costs," he said.
He also stressed that under the Brand Bengaluru initiative, BBMP and BMRCL must collaborate on city beautication.
"Metro pillars will be used for advertisements, with revenue shared equally between the two agencies," he added.
He said to ease traffic on the Tumakuru-KR Puram Road, BDA, Metro, and BBMP will jointly build an underpass, funded by BDA.
According to him, discussions on Bengaluru development and irrigation department funds will be submitted to the Chief Minister on Friday.
Regarding the Greater Bengaluru announcement in the budget, Shivakumar said, "The Cabinet has approved creating a township near Bidadi. Public suggestions and MLA opinions are being collected. Media input will also be sought."
Regarding the proposed second airport, he said, "Discussions are ongoing. A report will be submitted to the CM and me, followed by consultations with the Airport Authority." When asked if the second airport would be near Bidadi, he replied, "I have no information." On the Greater Bengaluru Authority Bill, he said, "A joint House committee is reviewing it. The Bill is already tabled, and the media can debate it."
Addressing opposition to tunnel roads, he said, "Criticism is inevitable. Critics fade, but work remains."
On Bengaluru’s 17 lakh unauthorised properties, he said, "25 lakh property records are ready, with 7 lakh pending. A system is in place to address this, but details cannot be disclosed yet."
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3 killed, 15 injured in fire after blast at firecracker unit in MP's Dewas; CM orders probe
Dewas/Indore (PTI): At least three workers were killed and 15 persons injured after a fire broke out following an explosion at a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district on Thursday, an official said.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and ordered an investigation. The state government will provide an assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each of the deceased, and the injured will receive free treatment, he said in a post on X.
Three persons were killed in the fire at the firecracker unit located in Tonk Kalan area, and around 15 injured persons were sent to hospitals in Indore and Dewas, Collector Rituraj Singh told reporters after inspecting the site.
Videos of the aftermath surfaced on social media, showing thick white smoke billowing from the factory along the Agra–Mumbai national highway. The clips also showed people rushing the injured for treatment amid cries for help, with body parts seen scattered at the site.
The collector said the fire has been brought under control. The administration has taken possession of explosives stored at another location within the unit, he said.
The work to manufacture small firecrackers at the factory of a person named Anil Malviya had begun only 15 days ago, and a licence has been issued for the unit, the collector said.
A detailed investigation is underway into the incident, he added.
CM Yadav said, "I have directed Deputy Chief Minister and Dewas district guardian minister Jagdish Devda, the home secretary and senior officials to visit the spot. An inquiry has also been ordered into the incident."
Local residents said there was a massive explosion at the factory, and the victims' body parts were found scattered far away from the site.
They said construction work was underway at the site and different sheds were being built there.
