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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Actor Pravina Deshpande dies
Mumbai (PTI): Actor Pravina Deshpande, known for playing supporting characters in films such as “Ready”, “Gabbar is Back” and “D Day”, has died.
The actor's family shared the news in a post on her Instagram page, saying that Despande breathed her last on Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you that Mrs Pravina Deshpande has left for her heavenly abode on 17th February 2026,” the note read.
According to media reports, Deshpande died after a prolonged battle with blood cancer at the age of 60. She is survived by her husband and two children.
Desphande worked extensively in Marathi theatre, shows and films. She gained wider recognition for her work in Hindi cinema.
Some of her popular shows and films were “Pariniti”, “Avagat”, “Ghar Ek Mandir”, “Kumkum - Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan”, “Ek Villian”, “Parmanu” The story of Pokhran”, among others.
She was last seen in the Netflix series, “Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web”.
The Cine and TV Artistes' Association (CINTAA), a trade union body of actors, wrote on X, “CINTAA expresses its condolences on the demise of Pravina Deshpande ji (member since 2008).”
Deshpande’s colleagues from the film industry also took to social media to express grief.
“Beautiful person. She’d met me in 2017 to audition for our film. It was a very pleasant experience," filmmaker Aditya Kriplani said on X.
Actor Vaishnavi Dhanraj said, “May her soul rest in peace.”
Her last rites were held on Tuesday afternoon at the Hindu crematorium, Chakala Parsiwada, in suburban Andheri.
