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Bengaluru Metro Costliest in India: Commuters Hit Out at Repeated Namma Metro Fare Hikes​


Bengaluru commuters have criticised BMRCL’s decision to hike Namma Metro fares for the second year in a row, warning it undermines public transport goals. With fares rising by Rs 1-5 from February 9, users fear higher costs will reduce ridership and worsen traffic congestion.



After Bengaluru Namma Metro announced to hike fare for the second consecutive year, commuters have raised concerns over the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) fleecing the passengers. They further stressed that surging fares repeatedly defeat the very purpose of promoting public transport, according to a TOI report. This comes after the BMRCL said to increase fares by Rs 1 to Rs 5 from February 9.
Last year, the BMRCL proposed fare hikes of over 110 per cent. However, after the public and commuters slammed the hike, it rearranged the fare matrix and brought the maximum increase to 71 per cent.

Higher Bengaluru Metro Fares Could Backfire​


One of the commuters, Vijay S, said that metro fares are already among the highest compared to similar urban transit systems. "Imposing an annual fare hike is unjustified. Public transport should not function like a profit-driven enterprise. A Metro system built with public funds has a social obligation to remain affordable, inclusive, and accessible," he told TOI.

Another commuter, Rajesh Naidu, stressed that the higher fares could backfire, adding that if they make it affordable, it would increase ridership and overall revenue eventually. "Why is BMRCL missing this simple logic?" he asked, according to TOI.

A third commuter told TOI that it is time to rethink using the Namma metro. "The govt should ensure that people use public transport so as to decrease the number of vehicles on roads and ease traffic. But, here they seem to be doing the opposite."

Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike​

Bengaluru Metro, one of the costlier metro rail systems in the country, will revise ticket prices based on the distance travelled. The move follows recommendations made by the First Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), which suggested small, yearly revisions to prevent sudden and steep fare hikes.

Check Dates and Fare​


According to BMRCL, metro fares were not revised for nearly 7.5 years. When fares were increased last year, the average hike worked out to around 51.55 per cent. To avoid such large increases in the future, the committee recommended an annual revision of fares.
“In keeping with the recommendations of the FFC, which are binding on BMRCL, an Annual Automatic Fare Revision will be implemented with effect from February 9, 2026, on the expiry of one year from the date of implementation of the FFC’s recommended fares on February 9, 2025,” BMRCL said in a press statement.
The corporation said the marginal fare increase will range from a minimum of Rs 1 to a maximum of Rs 5 across 10 fare zones on the entire 96.10-km Namma Metro network.


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Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike On Hold: BMRCL Issues Statement As Commuters Hit Out At Repeated Fare Surge​


Bengaluru Metro has put its proposed annual fare hike on hold following commuter backlash. BMRCL said the revised fares, earlier set to take effect from February 9, will now be reviewed by its Board. A final decision will be announced later, the metro authority said in a statement on X.



Bengaluru Metro has temporarily put a hold on the annual fare hike, announced earlier this week. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) in a post on X, stated the decision on the revised fare will be shared after the Board's review. This comes after commuters raised concerns over the Namma Metro fleecing the passengers, stressing that surging fares repeatedly defeat the very purpose of promoting public transport.
"Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited hereby informs that the Media Release dated February 5 2026, announcing the implementation of the Annual Fare Revision with effect from 9 February 2026, has been kept on hold till further notice," the BMRCL stated on X.
"The decision on the revised fare will be communicated after the Board's review," they added.


The Namma Metro Authority further assured that it remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable metro services to the citizens of Bengaluru.

Hike From Rs 1 to Rs 5 Announced​


Namma Metro fares were about to increase by Rs 1 to Rs 5 from February 9, 2026, following an annual fare revision announced by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL). Bengaluru Metro, one of the costlier metro rail systems in the country, were revising ticket prices based on the distance travelled.

The move follows recommendations made by the First Fare Fixation Committee (FFC), which suggested small, yearly revisions to prevent sudden and steep fare hikes.
According to BMRCL, metro fares were not revised for nearly 7.5 years. When fares were increased last year, the average hike worked out to around 51.55 per cent. To avoid such large increases in the future, the committee recommended an annual revision of fares.

Commuters Hit Out at Repeated Namma Metro Fare Hikes​


One of the commuters, Vijay S, said that metro fares are already among the highest compared to similar urban transit systems. "Imposing an annual fare hike is unjustified. Public transport should not function like a profit-driven enterprise. A Metro system built with public funds has a social obligation to remain affordable, inclusive, and accessible," he told TOI.
Another commuter, Rajesh Naidu, stressed that the higher fares could backfire, adding that if they make it affordable, it would increase ridership and overall revenue eventually. "Why is BMRCL missing this simple logic?" he asked, according to TOI.
A third commuter told TOI that it is time to rethink using the Namma metro. "The govt should ensure that people use public transport so as to decrease the number of vehicles on roads and ease traffic. But, here they seem to be doing the opposite."


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Mumbai to Delhi '12-Hour Dream' Gets a Reality Check: The South Gujarat Bottleneck Explained​


Why Is the Gujarat Section of Delhi Mumbai Highway Slow?: The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway completion date is now pushed to FY 2027-28. While the Delhi-Vadodara stretch opens by June 2026, an 87-km Gujarat bottleneck delays the full 12-hour road trip dream.



Why Is the Gujarat Section of Delhi Mumbai Highway Slow?: The '12-hour dream' of Delhi-Mumbai travel is likely to be on hold due to a disputed 87-km-long stretch in Gujarat. The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway is one of India’s biggest and most ambitious highway projects currently. Once fully operational, it would facilitate faster, hassle-free commute between the national and financial capital of India. It would also connect Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan along the way. However, the ongoing conflict on the Gujarat stretch may cause significant delays or inconvenience to commuters.
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has confirmed that most of the expressway should be ready by June 2026. However, the full 1,386 km corridor will not be completed until FY 2027–28 because of the Gujarat stretch.

The 87-km Problem in Gujarat​

The delay boils down to an 87-km stretch in South Gujarat, part of the Vadodara–Virar section.
What’s going wrong?
Three construction segments — Jujuwa–Gandeva, Karvad–Jujuwa, and Talsari–Karvad — are less than 20% complete, reported Magicbricks.

There’s a dispute between:
  • National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
  • The contractor, Renaissance Infrastructure (RSIIL)
The “blame game”

  • NHAI says the contractor’s performance is slow and unsatisfactory.
  • The contractor says they were not given “encumbrance-free” land — meaning land free from legal disputes, utilities, or local obstacles.
When land is not fully cleared, construction simply can’t move forward smoothly.
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What does this mean for travelers?​

Because this 87-km link is missing:
  • Vehicles coming from Vadodara must exit the expressway near Ankleshwar/Bharuch
  • They then have to use the older, crowded National Highway 48
  • After crossing the congested stretch, they re-enter the expressway further south
Therefore, instead of a seamless high-speed ride, drivers face traffic bottlenecks — which defeats the purpose of the expressway.

Why It’s Still a Game-Changer​

Even with delays, this is not just another highway. It’s a “greenfield” expressway — built from scratch with modern planning.

Here’s what makes it special:​

Speed & Size
  • 8 lanes (expandable to 12)
  • Designed for speeds up to 120 km/h
  • Controlled access (no random village crossings)
Wildlife Protection
Near Ranthambore National Park, the highway includes animal overpasses — large green bridges that allow wildlife to cross safely. This is one of the first projects of its kind in Asia aimed at reducing roadkill and protecting migration routes.
Temporary Toll Relief
Because the entire corridor is not operational yet, the government has decided to charge normal highway toll rates instead of the higher 1.25x expressway rate until the missing stretch is complete.
That is small relief for commuters who are dealing with detours.

Economic Impact: Why the Delay Matters​

This project is not just about faster road trips - it is about money, logistics, and industry.
Logistics & Fuel Savings
When fully complete:
  • Travel distance to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) will reduce by about 180 km
  • Truck travel time will drop sharply
  • Fuel consumption and freight costs will fall
Right now, because of the missing link, the economy continues to lose money in wasted fuel, time, and supply chain inefficiencies.

Is Delhi Mumbai Expressway Fully Operational​

The Delhi–Mumbai Expressway is mostly ready and already transforming travel across several states. But infrastructure projects of this scale often get delayed — especially when land acquisition and contracts run into trouble.
Once the 87-km Gujarat stretch is resolved, the full impact will be massive:
  • 12-hour Delhi–Mumbai road trips
  • Cheaper logistics
  • Industrial growth
  • New real estate corridors



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Delhi Metro Techie, Wife and 9-Year-Old Daughter Die After Fire Breakout in DMRC Quarters - What Happened?​


A tragic fire in north Delhi claimed the lives of Ajay Vimal, his wife Neelam, and their nine-year-old daughter Anvi. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning at their residence within the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Staff Quarters. Emergency responders received calls around 2:39 am but struggled to access the locked apartment.



New Delhi: A pall of grief enveloped north Delhi on Tuesday as relatives gathered outside the mortuary of Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital to collect the bodies of a family of three who died in a devastating fire at their official residence in the early hours of the morning.
The blaze erupted on the fifth floor of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Staff Quarters near Majlis Park, claiming the lives of Ajay Vimal (44), an assistant sub-section engineer with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, his wife Neelam Vimal (43), and their nine-year-old daughter Anvi Vimal.


According to the Delhi Fire Services, the first emergency call was received at 2.39 am, as per a TIE report. A family living on the floor below woke up after hearing glass shatter, followed by thick smoke rising from the flat above.

Neighbours Tried to Break In​

“The neighbours rushed upstairs and knocked on the door several times. When they heard no response from inside, they decided to try to break the door open,” said a DMRC official close to the family.

The rescue attempt was hampered because the flat had two entrance doors — a wooden door and a metal mesh door — both locked from the inside.
“While one person dialled 112 helpline, another used the emergency firefighting equipment kept in the hallway to try and douse the fire,” the official added.

Fire Localised to Bedroom​

A fire tender reached the spot around 3 am and took nearly 30 minutes to extinguish the flames. Firefighters later found that the blaze was localised to the only bedroom in the flat.
The bodies of the three victims were found lying on the same bed, charred beyond recognition.

“Preliminary indications suggest a possible explosion of a room heater,” said a senior police officer.
DMRC officials said it is likely that the heater was being used in a closed room, triggering a short circuit.
“The MCB (miniature circuit breaker) was triggered shut… there was no electricity in the house when the firefighters entered. So it’s possible that the heater caught fire and the smoke made it hard for the family to wake up…they must have suffocated to death before the fire spread,” the DMRC official said.

Family and Colleagues Mourn​

Ajay Vimal had been associated with the DMRC since 2006 and was allotted the staff quarters in 2016. At the time of his death, he was posted at Barakhamba Metro Station. Neelam was a homemaker, while Anvi was a Class IV student.
Vimal’s elder brother and sister travelled from Aligarh and Noida respectively to the mortuary to complete the last rites.
Delhi Police said they are continuing investigations to determine the exact cause of the fire and reconstruct the sequence of events that led to the tragedy, even as the incident has once again raised concerns over the safe use of room heaters during winter months.


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Ticket checker saves woman passenger from falling at Tambaram station, averts mishap | VIDEO​


Nithish Kumar, Ticket Checking Staff, noticed the passenger losing her balance and reacted immediately. He quickly held her and helped her regain balance.


New Delhi:
A moment of sharp alertness and presence of mind by a railway staff member at Chennai’s Tambaram station has averted a possible accident and won widespread appreciation on social media. The incident, captured on camera and shared by Southern Railway, shows how timely action can make all the difference in ensuring passenger safety.

The incident took place on December 20, 2025, at Tambaram railway station in Chennai. A woman passenger accidentally slipped while trying to board a Beach-bound local train. As the train was in motion, the situation could have turned serious within seconds.

Nithish Kumar, Ticket Checking Staff (CCTC/TBM), noticed the passenger losing her balance and reacted immediately. He quickly held her and helped her regain balance, preventing her from falling between the platform and the train. Thanks to his alertness, the woman remained safe and unharmed.

Southern railway shares video

Southern Railway shared the video of the incident on social media platform X, praising the staff member’s presence of mind. In the post, the Railways said that Nithish Kumar’s prompt action helped avert a major mishap and reflected his dedication, courage, and commitment to passenger safety.


The video soon went viral, with users across social media lauding the railway staff’s responsible conduct. Many called the act commendable and said such employees deserve recognition for their service and alertness on duty.
 
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