Tue Apr 01 23:11:00 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka High Court Upholds Bangalore Metro Fare Hike

**Bengaluru, April 2, 2025** – The Karnataka High Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited’s (BMRCL) recent fare increase. The court refused to interfere with the BMRCL’s decision, rejecting arguments that the hike violated a “promise” of a smaller increase and was irrationally structured.

The PIL, filed by Sanath Kumar Shetty and others, argued the 71% fare increase was excessive, exceeding an initially proposed 15-25% rise, and violated the principle of promissory estoppel. The petitioners also claimed the fare structure, which doesn’t adhere to a station-to-station model, violates Section 33 of the Metro Rail (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002.

However, the High Court’s Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice K.V. Aravind, deemed fare fixation a matter for expert consideration, outside the court’s purview. The Bench stated that arguments of “breach of promissory estoppel or doctrine of legitimate expectation” lacked merit, emphasizing that the BMRCL’s initial proposal did not constitute a legally binding promise. The court concluded that the fare fixation committee, established under the relevant statute, is the appropriate body to address such matters.

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