The steep hike in Bengaluru Metro fares, making it the most expensive in the country, has sparked a public backlash.
However, both BJP, which governs the Union government, and Congress, which governs Karnataka, are engaged in a blame game over the issue. Bengaluru Metro is a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Karnataka (GoK).
Also, read: Bengaluru Metro fare hike: Pressure mounts on BMRCL to reduce charges, Students' Union demands 50% discount
A delegation led by former Jayanagar MLA and Mahila Congress president Sowmya Reddy, along with KPCC General Secretary S Manohar, submitted a memorandum to BMRCL managing director Maheshwar Rao, urging an immediate reduction in fares.
In the letter, they stated that the Union government was responsible for the fare hike, which has caused inconvenience to the public. They demanded an immediate rollback in the interest of commuters.
"We urge the authorities to roll back the fare hike immediately in the public interest. The increased Metro fares have caused severe hardship for commuters. The BJP is politicising the issue by writing to the Central government to reduce fares while simultaneously spreading false claims that the state government is responsible for the hike," the letter stated.
Also, read: Bengaluru Metro fare hike sparks political row; BMRCL to review anomalies
Sowmya Reddy also led a protest at Jayanagar Metro Station to raise awareness about the fare hike and advocate for its reduction. Congress workers symbolically protested against the central government’s decision by distributing roses to commuters.
Additionally, members of the Bengaluru Central and East Bengaluru Mahila Congress staged a demonstration near Vidhana Soudha and Dr Ambedkar Metro Station, protesting against the fare hike imposed by the BJP-led central government.
Also, read: Metro fare hike: Bengaluru MPs, netizens call it unfair, demand rollback
It may be recalled that a delegation of BJP leaders, led by Basavanagudi MLA LA Ravi Subramanya, Jayanagar MLA CK Ramamurthy, and Dasarahalli MLA S Muniraju, met with BMRCL Managing Director on February 10 and submitted a memorandum opposing the hike.
BJP workers also staged protests at major Metro stations, including Jayanagar, Vijayanagar, Dasarahalli, Madavara, Halasuru, and Kengeri Bus Terminal.
Also, read: Travellin' Blues: Congested Bengaluru now has the costliest Metro fare in India
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