A current on-line dialogue was sparked when a Bengaluru-based tech skilled lamented that his excessive wage was nonetheless not sufficient to fulfill town’s rising price of residing. Whereas some argued that higher monetary planning may assist handle bills, others identified that government-driven worth hikes had considerably strained family budgets. From transportation and gas to exploit and toll costs, a number of important providers have seen a surge in prices over the previous yr. HT.com takes a more in-depth have a look at the monetary burden Bengaluru residents are going through.
The value of every day necessities in Bengaluru took a steep increase. (pic for illustration) (Reuters)
Additionally Learn – Milk worth hiked 3 times after Cong got here to energy in Karnataka: BJP’s R Ashoka
Metro fare hike: Commuters pay the rice
One of the important will increase in bills has been in Namma Metro fares. In February this yr, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Company Ltd (BMRCL) revised its pricing construction, pushing the utmost fare from ₹60 to ₹90. Moreover, the minimal steadiness required on good playing cards has doubled from ₹50 to ₹90. With 1000’s of every day commuters counting on the metro, the 50-90% fare hike has added a considerable monetary pressure on Bengaluru residents.
BMTC bus fare surge hits every day commuters
Public transport customers additionally needed to bear further bills after the Karnataka authorities accepted a 15% hike in fares for state-owned transport firms in January. This led to elevated ticket costs for Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Company (BMTC) buses, that are a vital mode of transport for every day commuters. The value of an bizarre every day go elevated from ₹70 to ₹80, whereas the weekly go noticed a hike from ₹300 to ₹350. The bizarre month-to-month go now prices ₹1,200, up from ₹1,050, additional affecting college students and common passengers.
Nandini milk costs proceed to rise
Milk, a staple in most households, has additionally seen a number of worth hikes over the previous yr. The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) introduced one other improve in Nandini milk costs, elevating the fee by ₹4 per litre, efficient April 1. This follows earlier hikes of ₹3 per litre in July 2023 and ₹2 per litre in June 2024. Because of this, a one-litre packet of Nandini toned milk, which price ₹40 final yr, is now priced at ₹46. Whereas Nandini claims its charges are nonetheless decrease than opponents like Amul and Heritage, customers have felt the pinch of those recurring hikes.
Toll charges improve on key routes
Commuting via Bengaluru’s main highways has grow to be costlier because the Nationwide Highways Authority of India (NHAI) raised toll costs from April 1. Vacationers heading to Kempegowda Worldwide Airport or utilizing the Satellite tv for pc City Ring Highway (STRR) at the moment are paying greater toll charges. Charges at key toll plazas, together with Sadahalli (NH 7) and Hulikunte and Nalluru Devanahalli (NH 648), have been revised upward by 5%. The 119-km Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway has additionally carried out a toll hike, additional rising journey prices for commuters.
Gas costs add to the burden
Gas costs have additionally surged up to now yr. Since June 2024, petrol costs have elevated by ₹3 per litre, reaching ₹102.84 per litre in Bengaluru, whereas diesel has seen the same ₹3.02 hike, bringing the value to ₹88.95 per litre. The Karnataka authorities’s determination to revise gross sales tax charges on petrol and diesel contributed to this rise, making every day commutes and transportation of products dearer.
Extra costs on new automobiles
Buying a brand new automobile in Karnataka has grow to be pricier as a result of a further registration cess launched in January. Patrons of two-wheelers now pay an additional ₹500, whereas automobile house owners incur a further ₹1,000 in registration charges. This transfer was carried out below the Karnataka Motor Autos Taxation (Second Modification) Invoice, 2024, to generate funds for welfare schemes benefiting transport sector staff.
Energy tariffs set to extend
Electrical energy prices are additionally on the rise. The Karnataka Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (KERC) has accepted a hike in fastened costs for the following three years, affecting each households and companies. These revised charges will begin reflecting in electrical energy payments from Might. Nonetheless, beneficiaries of the state authorities’s Gruha Lakshmi scheme, which presents free electrical energy, will stay unaffected.
Alcohol costs among the many highest in South India
Liquor costs in Karnataka have been revised a number of instances over the previous two years, making it the costliest state for alcohol in South India. Worth hikes have been attributed to numerous components, together with elevated taxes and levies imposed by the state authorities.
The burden of inflation prompted state MLAs and ministers to approve a wage hike for themselves, citing elevated bills. The ruling Congress authorities has defended these hikes, arguing that income generated from these measures is getting used to fund its flagship welfare schemes. The 5 assure schemes, which performed a vital function within the celebration’s victory within the 2023 Meeting elections, proceed to be a focus of political debate. In the meantime, opposition events BJP and JD(S) have strongly opposed these worth hikes, although their protests have but to yield any rollback in authorities choices.
As Bengaluru residents grapple with these rising prices, the dialogue round affordability and monetary planning continues. Whereas some imagine higher budgeting may assist handle bills, others argue that many of those hikes are unavoidable and imposed by the federal government.