Metro fare hike: Congress government adding to public burden, says R. Ashoka
Bengaluru: At a time when people in the state are already struggling due to rising prices of petrol, diesel, milk, and bus fares, the Congress government has now imposed an additional burden by abruptly increasing Bengaluru Metro fares by 50%, said Opposition Leader R. Ashoka, launching an attack on the state government.
Sharing a post on social media platform X, he addressed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, stating that the 50% metro fare hike has made metro travel unaffordable for many ordinary citizens. He added that commuting by a personal scooter or bike now seems more economical than using the metro.
Ashoka criticised the government for discouraging public transport instead of promoting it as a solution to Bengaluru’s traffic congestion and environmental pollution. He demanded the immediate rollback of the metro fare hike.
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Attack on Indian-flagged merchant ship off Oman coast unacceptable: MEA
New Delhi (PTI): An Indian-flagged commercial vessel has come under attack off the coast of Oman but all its 14 crew members are safe, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.
It is not immediately known who carried out the strike on the vessel on Wednesday.
The MEA described the attack as "unacceptable".
"The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted," it said.
"All Indian crew on board are safe and we thank the Omani authorities for rescuing them," it said.
The MEA said India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided.
The vessel was sailing from Somalia and the strike triggered a fire that led to sinking of the vessel, it is learnt.
The crew members were rescued by Oman's Coast Guard and taken to Diba port.
At least two other Indian-flagged ships have been attacked since the war between the US and Iran began on February 28.
The latest attack came amid the fragile security situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
