Udupi (Karnataka), April 8 (PTI): The Private Bus Operators’ Association in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts demanded a 15 per cent hike in fares for private buses operating across all sectors, including national highway routes.

Association President Kuilady Suresh Nayak said here on Tuesday that they have written to the State Transport Department regarding the demand.

According to him, following the recent diesel price hike by the state government, private bus operators have been incurring losses on all routes in the two coastal districts.

"The recent diesel price hike by the state government has had a cascading effect on bus operators, particularly private ones," Nayak said.

On April 1, the Karnataka government increased the sales tax on diesel to 21.17 per cent, effective from Tuesday.

As a result, diesel prices have risen by Rs 2 per litre, bringing the retail price to Rs 91.02.

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Srinagar (PTI): Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday arrived in Kashmir to meet those injured in the Pahalgam terror attack, a Congress leader said.

The party leader said Gandhi is likely to visit the Army's Base Hospital in Badamibagh Cantonment here to enquire about the health of those injured in the attack on April 22 that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead.

Several people were injured in the attack.

Gandhi would also meet various delegations, including from party, and trade and tourism sectors, the leader said.

He said the LoP is likely to have individual meetings with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Gandhi has come with a message of "healing the wounds" of the people of the country, including Kashmiris, in the wake of the attack and its aftermath.

The Congress leader cut short his visit to the United States to attend the crucial meeting of the Congress Working Committee that was called on Thursday in the aftermath of the attack.

He also attended an all-party meeting called by the government to brief parties on the horrific terror attack.