Hyderabad: Slogans, banners, and red flags lined the entrance of the L&T Metro Rail depot in Uppal as seven Left parties staged a joint protest on Saturday, slamming the recent metro fare hike. The dharna saw participation from cadres across CPI, CPI(M), and other affiliated groups, calling the hike anti-people and demanding an immediate rollback.
Speakers ripped into both the state and central governments, accusing them of abdicating responsibility and violating prior agreements. According to Left leaders, the original terms of the metro project prohibited fare burdens exceeding 50% on passengers. “That clause’s been tossed aside,” one leader fumed. “Now the full load’s being dumped on the public.”
They alleged that Hyderabad’s metro model was drifting away from public welfare and inching toward exclusionary pricing. “Nowhere in India do we see such arbitrary, people-unfriendly rail fares,” said another protestor.
They demanded intervention from both the Telangana and Union governments to reverse the hike. If not, they warned, broader protests would follow. Loud chants echoed that warning as party workers gathered in large numbers under the midday sun, determined to escalate if the hike stands.