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Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashok on Wednesday criticised the state government's decision to increase transport fares, calling the hike illegal and alleging that the government had failed to clear dues worth over Rs 5,800 crore to the Transport Department.
Speaking to reporters, Ashok alleged that the government was shifting the financial burden of its failure to compensate the Transport Department onto the public. "Price hikes in the Transport Department are illegal. Prices have been increased by 30 to 40%. Such a hike has never been seen before in the history of Karnataka. The Congress government and DK Shivakumar owe the Transport Department over Rs 5,800 crore. Consequently, the Finance Department has already stated that they cannot pay this amount because there is no money in the state exchequer. Now, shifting this burdenwhich belongs to the Transport Departmentonto the public is illegal," he said. He further blamed the state government for the situation, alleging that it had failed to compensate the Transport Department for the free bus service announced under its scheme. "This is the fault of the Karnataka government; they announced a 'free' bus service... They were supposed to compensate the Transport Department for this, but they have failed to do so... Tomorrow, we will hold protests across all districts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru and the next Assembly session as well," he added. Ashok's remarks come after Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) announced an average fare hike of 23 per cent, while the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has increased ticket prices by 33 to 35 per cent. The revised fares will come into effect from tonight. The fare revision will apply to ordinary and express bus services operated by KSRTC, as well as services under the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC). Under the revised fare structure, passengers travelling on ordinary services will see increases on several routes connecting Bengaluru with nearby towns. The fare from Bengaluru to Nelamangala and Hoskote will rise from Rs 35 to Rs 44, while journeys to Doddaballapura and Anekal will cost Rs 47 instead of Rs 38. Similarly, fares for routes to Magadi and Malur will increase from Rs 46 to Rs 57. Passengers using express services will also have to pay more. The fare to Kolar and Tumakuru will increase from Rs 81 to Rs 100, while travel to Mandya will cost Rs 136 instead of Rs 110. The fare to Mysuru will rise from Rs 160 to Rs 197, Hassan from Rs 219 to Rs 270 and Chikkamagaluru from Rs 295 to Rs 363. (ANI)
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