Karnataka says loan repayments must be counted as metro state subsidy

A view of the Pink Namma Metro Line in Bengaluru on Thursday. | Photo credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN

The Karnataka government has countered the claims of Bengal South MP Tejasvi Surya, who claimed that the Centre’s contribution to the Namma Metro was higher than what the state government had planned.

Citing the funding plan approved by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for Phases I, II, 2A, 2B and III, Karnataka government sources put the combined estimated expenditure at ₹77,891 crore. Of this, Karnataka’s contribution is ₹65,291 crore (83.8%), while the Centre’s share is ₹12,600 crore (16.2%), government sources said.

Foreign loans

They argued that foreign loans of ₹28,958 crore arranged through the Center should be accounted for under Karnataka’s contribution as the state government is responsible for repaying them. They argued that counting these loans as the Centre’s contribution while separately accounting for Karnataka’s repayments amounted to double counting.

According to sources, Karnataka has so far repaid ₹4,502 crore of the ₹5,018 crore in loan principal disbursed to BMRCL, which is around 90% of the total repayments, while the Center has not contributed anything towards these repayments.

Karnataka government sources also said ₹ 1,069 crore in support of the cash loss provided by the state to BMRCL. They further argued that even if foreign loans are excluded from the calculation, Karnataka’s share stands at 74.2% against the Centre’s 25.8%.

Pink line

Separately, Forest, Environment and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy said in a press release on the inauguration of the Pink Line that the original estimated cost of the 21.26 km Kalena Agrahara-Nagawara corridor was ₹8,730 crore, which was subsequently increased to ₹17,346 crore. The state government’s share of the revised cost is around ₹12,000 crore, he said.

Mr. Reddy also recalled that the Union Cabinet approved Phase II of the Namma Metro on January 30, 2014, during the tenure of the UPA government, with the project including the Gottigere-Nagawara corridor, which is now being developed as the Pink Line.

The inauguration on November 13 will mark the opening of the 7.5 km stretch between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere.

KBG says his speech has declined

Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Thursday claimed that his speech had been removed from the final list of programs for the inauguration of the Pink Line.

In a post on X, the minister said his speech had been included in the draft program but had been omitted from the final list which was circulated on Wednesday evening.

On Karnataka’s demand for a larger share of funding for metro projects, Mr Gowda said the state was being treated unfairly as it sought its rightful share despite bearing the bulk of the capital expenditure.

Describing the removal of his speech as a result of raising Karnataka’s concerns, he said the decision would not deter him from working for the development of Bengaluru. “You can interrupt me, but you cannot stop me from working for the development of Bengaluru,” he added.

Published – 12 Nov 2026 20:32 IST