New Delhi: Bengaluru’s metro operator has put its proposed fare hike on hold following strong opposition from commuters and a growing political tussle between the Karnataka government and the Centre.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) said its earlier order announcing the implementation of annual revised fares from February 9 has been kept on hold till further orders. The corporation said the matter will now be reviewed by its board after which a final decision will be communicated.

The move came just days after the proposed revision triggered widespread criticism from daily passengers, students and office-goers who argued the increase will hit regular commuters the most.

What the proposed fare hike involved

Under the plan announced earlier this month, metro fares were set to rise by Rs 1 to Rs 5 across 10 zones on the 96.10-km Namma Metro network. The minimum fare for journeys up to 2 km was to go up from Rs 10 to Rs 11 while the maximum fare for trips beyond 30 Km was proposed to increase from Rs 90 to Rs 95.

While the passengers travelling between 15 km and 20 km would have paid Rs 74 instead of Rs 70. BMRCL said that existing concessions for smart card and National Common Mobility Card users would continue along with discounts during non-peak hours, Sundays and selected national holidays.

Why fares were revised

Metro officials had defended the annual revision, saying it was based on recommendations of the First Fare Fixation Committee. According to the operator, smaller yearly increases help avoid steep hikes after long gaps and are needed to manage rising operation and maintenance costs.

However, the Karnataka government distanced itself from the decision saying it does not have the legal authority to fix metro fares. The state said fare revision is decided by an independent committee constituted by the Union government under the Metro Railways Act.

Political sparring intensifies

The pause on the hike quickly turned into a political flashpoint. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya welcomed the decision, calling it a victory for commuters and crediting the Centre for stepping in. He added that the relief was temporary and urged the state to support the metro financially.

Soon after that the state minister Priyank Kharge hit back, accusing the BJP of double standards and misleading the public. He said the Centre appoints the fare panel and its recommendations are binding on the metro.

For now, commuters have a breather but the debate over who controls metro fares is far from over.