'Illegal' Hike: R Ashok Slams Karnataka Govt Over Transport Fare Surge
Karnataka LoP R Ashok announces statewide protests against the transport fare hike, alleging government failure to pay Rs 5,800 crore in dues.
The Karnataka government is facing fierce backlash after announcing a significant increase in transport fares, a move that Leader of Opposition (LoP) R Ashok has branded as "illegal." The opposition leader has alleged that the state administration is unfairly shifting the burden of its own financial mismanagement onto the general public, prompting the announcement of statewide protests.
The Core of the Conflict: Unpaid Dues
Speaking to reporters, R Ashok claimed that the current crisis is a direct result of the Congress government's failure to manage its finances. He alleged that the state owes over Rs 5,800 crore to the Transport Department. According to Ashok, the Finance Department has already admitted its inability to clear these dues due to a lack of funds in the state exchequer.
The LoP specifically pointed toward the government's "free" bus service scheme. He argued that while the government promised free travel to certain groups, it failed to compensate the Transport Department for the losses incurred.
"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,"Ashok stated.
Unprecedented Price Jumps
The opposition has expressed shock at the scale of the increase, with Ashok claiming that prices have surged by 30% to 40%, a hike he describes as unprecedented in the history of Karnataka.
The official data supports a steep climb in costs:
- KSRTC: An average fare hike of 23 per cent.
- BMTC: Ticket prices have jumped by 33 to 35 per cent.
These revisions apply to ordinary and express services operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), as well as the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC).
How the Fare Hikes Affect Passengers
The revised fares, which come into effect immediately, will hit daily commuters and long-distance travelers hard. The impact is visible across several key routes connecting Bengaluru to surrounding towns.
Ordinary Service Increases:
- Bengaluru to Nelamangala and Hoskote: Rs 35 → Rs 44
- Bengaluru to Doddaballapura and Anekal: Rs 38 → Rs 47
- Bengaluru to Magadi and Malur: Rs 46 → Rs 57
Express Service Increases:
- Kolar and Tumakuru: Rs 81 → Rs 100
- Mandya: Rs 110 → Rs 136
- Mysuru: Rs 160 → Rs 197
- Hassan: Rs 219 → Rs 270
- Chikkamagaluru: Rs 295 → Rs 363
Statewide Protests Loom
Refusing to let the matter slide, R Ashok has announced a plan for aggressive demonstrations. Protests are scheduled to take place across all districts of Karnataka, including the capital city of Bengaluru. Furthermore, the opposition intends to raise the issue during the upcoming Assembly session to hold the government, and specifically DK Shivakumar, accountable for the financial shortfall.