CAG flags lower-than-projected Bengaluru metro ridership

Audit finds gap in ridership numbers

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has found that Bengaluru Metro's actual ridership has fallen short of the numbers projected when the network was planned. The disclosure came in a recent audit report tabled in the state legislature.

The shortfall has raised questions about the financial viability of the expanding metro network, which is seen as crucial to easing congestion in India's IT capital.

What the report says

According to the CAG, the actual daily passenger numbers on the Bengaluru Metro have consistently lagged behind the estimates used to justify the project's cost and expansion phases. The gap is significant enough to impact the metro's revenue streams and its ability to service loans taken for construction.

The audit did not attribute the shortfall to any single factor, but noted that ridership patterns have not matched the optimistic forecasts made at the time of project approval.

Implications for expansion

The finding comes at a critical time, as Bengaluru Metro is in the midst of major expansions, including new corridors aimed at connecting the airport and peripheral areas. Lower-than-expected ridership could affect the pace of future phases if lenders and the state government reassess the return on investment.

Urban transport experts have often pointed to last-mile connectivity issues and the rise of work-from-home as possible reasons for the gap, though the CAG report does not delve into specific causes.

Officials yet to respond

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) officials have not yet issued a formal response to the CAG findings. The state government, which owns the metro, is expected to submit its reply in the next legislative session.

Passenger associations have, meanwhile, called for a review of fares and better integration with buses and other modes of transport to attract more commuters.

The CAG's observations are likely to be examined by a public accounts committee, which will determine whether any corrective action is needed.

As Bengaluru continues to grow, the metro's performance will remain under scrutiny. The coming months will show whether the authorities can bridge the gap between projections and reality, or whether the network's expansion plans need a rethink.