BMRCL Clarifies Bengaluru Metro Toilet Fee: What’s Free, What’s Not?

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has issued a clarification regarding the confusion over toilet usage at its Namma metro stations. Toilets located inside the metro swipe gates will continue to be free for passengers, BMRCL clarified. However, toilets outside the swipe gates are also accessed by non-metro users from the general public, and hence, a nominal fee is being charged for those, the authority said.

Details of Toilet Charges

BMRCL has fixed charges for 12 toilets located outside the swipe gates. These are managed by a private agency under a maintenance contract. As per the agreement, the charges are ₹2 for urinals and ₹5 for using toilets. These pay-and-use toilets are located at the following stations:

• National College
• Lalbagh
• South End Circle
• Jayanagar
• Rashtreeya Vidyalaya Road
• Banashankari
• J.P. Nagar
• Yelachenahalli
• Sir M. Visvesvaraya Station
• Dr. Ambedkar Station
• Vidhana Soudha
• Cubbon Park
• Majestic

These toilets are meant for use by the general public and require a small fee.

The announcement of toilet charges sparked a huge debate on social media. After the government recently approved a 71% hike in metro fares, many users criticised the decision to now charge for toilet usage as well.

The issue also took a political turn, with the state BJP strongly condemning the move.

BJP's Response

State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra slammed the Congress government in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). "After a 71% hike in metro fares, now the Congress government has imposed charges on toilets at 12 metro stations. Amid rising cost of living and deteriorating infrastructure, the Congress is now trying to earn revenue even from basic amenities," he alleged.

According to BMRCL, since the toilets inside the swipe gates are used only by metro passengers, they will remain free of cost. However, charging for toilets outside the gates is essential for their upkeep, as they are used by the general public. The collected fees are meant to help maintain hygiene and cleanliness in these facilities.