Bengaluru: In a move that has left the people of Karnataka stunned and outraged, the state government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has approved a 15 per cent increase in bus fares of four transport corporations – BMTC, KSRTC, KWRTC, and KKRTC. This decision, taken in a cabinet meeting today, is being widely criticized as a brazen attempt to burden the already struggling public with yet another financial burden.
The hike, announced just as the new year began, has sparked widespread condemnation across the state. The public is up in arms, questioning the government’s priorities and demanding an explanation for this seemingly heartless decision. The people of Hubballi, in particular, have expressed their discontent, arguing that the government is more concerned with increasing revenues than with providing affordable transportation services to the masses.
The justification for the fare hike is rooted in the increasing cost of diesel, which has risen from Rs 54-55 in 2014 to Rs 88.99 currently. However, critics argue that this is no excuse for passing on the burden to the common man. “We are not asking for free rides,” said a resident of Hubballi. “If they can offer free rides to women, why not to us too? Is it fair to discriminate between citizens?”
The transport corporations had submitted proposals for fare hikes in August, citing increased operational costs. BMTC proposed a 42 per cent increase, while KSRTC, KWRTC, and KKRTC sought a 25-30 per cent hike each. The cabinet’s approval of a 15 per cent increase has been met with skepticism, with many questioning whether this was a genuine effort to address the corporations’ financial woes or simply a ploy to fill government coffers.
As the news of the fare hike spreads, social media is filled with angry reactions from citizens, who are expressing their frustration and disappointment with the government’s decision. The hashtag #NotMyFareHike is trending on Twitter, with many calling for the government to reconsider its decision.
In response to the public outcry, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy defended the decision, stating that the hike was necessary to offset the increased costs of fuel and maintenance. However, his words have done little to placate the angry public, who are demanding more transparency and accountability from their government.
The fare hike has sparked a heated debate about the government’s priorities and its handling of public transportation services. As the people of Karnataka continue to express their outrage and discontent, it remains to be seen whether the government will take their concerns seriously and reconsider its decision.
Govt plans to lease Peenya bus stand
The state of affairs in Karnataka’s transport sector has reached a critical juncture, as widespread concerns grow over the financial sustainability of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). The recent inclination to lease the Peenya Basaveshwara bus stand—a major infrastructure project built at a tremendous cost—serves as a glaring example of the state government’s poor fiscal management and the ramifications of the controversial Shakti project, which offers free bus travel for women.
Once heralded as a beacon of connectivity for over 18 districts in the region, the Peenya Basaveshwara bus stand was established during the BJP regime with the vision to alleviate traffic congestion in Bengaluru. Now, the very existence of this strategically placed facility hangs in the balance, as KSRTC prepares to auction it off to private entities, potentially relegating its original purpose to a mere shell. The plan to lease the bus station to private organizations, rumored to be for uses as trivial as a wedding hall, reflects an alarming shift in priorities and a profound failure of leadership.
Critics argue that the financial strain on KSRTC can be largely attributed to the state government’s decision to implement free travel for women under the Shakti project. While the initiative may have noble intentions, the fiscal realities reveal a troubling consequence: the bankruptcy of basic public services. The treasury has reportedly been emptied, leaving KSRTC with no option but to seek out loans amounting to Rs 2,000 crore, along with proposing
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