BMRCL seeks lowest power tariffs of all Metro service providers

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has requested the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) for a reduction in power charges from April.

The request comes at a time when the KERC is working on drawing the new power tariffs for all stakeholders and customers. It has sought the opinion of all stakeholders on the issue.

According to energy department sources, the BMRCL has sought for a Rs 1.5 per unit reduction in the existing tariff.

"They are proposing a tariff of Rs 5 per unit. Delhi pays Rs 6.5 per unit. The BMRCL has sought for lowest tariff slab among all Metro service providers in India. This is despite the fact that they make profits," said a KERC official.

Last year also, the BMRCL had sought for a revision in tariff, the official added.

According to the BMRCL, on an average, the monthly electricity bill is around Rs 50 lakh. This they claim is too much to pay. The BMRCL earns Rs 95 lakh to Rs 1 crore a day from ticket sales.

The corporation has also requested the Bescom to push the matter in their favour before KERC.

"They have been pressuring the Bescom for line clearance to carry out works regularly. They have also been giving us troubles by damaging the cables to carry out works. The BMRCL has told the Bescom that if the tariff is not revised then they will be forced to increase the ticket rate and pass on the burden to commuters to make ends meet," an energy department official said.

The BMRCL maintained that it has made the request and it was up to the KERC to decide, whether to decrease the tariff and by how much.