Bengaluru: Following public backlash and unwarranted accusations against the state govt over Namma Metro fare adjustments, chief minister Siddaramaiah lost his cool and gave a dressing down to BMRCL top-brass for executing a shoddy fare hike.
“Why should we (the Congress govt) take the blame for your doing,” the CM reportedly asked the BMRCL officials who were summoned Wednesday night and directed to reconsider “abnormal increases” in the train fares. The “commuters’ interests must be safeguarded,” Siddaramaiah underlined while dissenting the over 100% hike in the fares. In fact, the CM’s diktat forced the BMRCL staff to get into a damage control mode Thursday; they hurriedly convened a press conference to announce a few rationalisation measures.
Sources in the CM’s office said Siddaramaiah was also miffed with BMRCL for not handling the fare hike deftly, which directed public anger towards the state govt. BMRCL officials tried their best to convince the CM that the fare hike was warranted to meet the rising costs and debt servicing. The officials explained to the CM that BMRCL’s three proposals earlier had been rejected by the Centre, which left the Namma Metro operator in bad shape financially.
With the losses mounting, BMRCL had no option but to seek a revision of fares yet again. “Highlighting our financial position and other commitments, we wrote to the Centre seeking revision of fare. This time, the Centre considered our request and constituted a committee to look into the revision of fares,” BMRCL officials reportedly briefed the CM.
However, not convinced by the explanation, the CM questioned the officials on the 100% revision of fares under some slabs. “The revision should have been uniform across the slabs and it should not burden the public. But in this case, it is a steep increase, especially for those travelling longer distances, and the state govt is blamed by all for no fault of ours. You will have to reconsider this and reduce the unnecessary burden mounted on the commoners,” CM reportedly instructed the BMRCL officials according to those who were present at the meeting.
DyCM exerts pressure on BMRCL
In the meantime, deputy CM DK Shivakumar also told media persons that he already directed BMRCL to reconsider the revision of fares. “Noticing public outrage and to safeguard their interest, the CM has directed BMRCL to relook at the entire fare revision. We (the state govt) are of the view that revised fares shall be reduced immediately and the same has been conveyed to BMRCL. Now it is left to the Centre’s committee to decide on it. I have also instructed them to submit yet another request to the committee to revise the fares,” he said while pointing out that the state govt has no role in the revision of Metro fares.