Hike in bus fare is inevitable: Minister DC Thammanna
Bus fare likely to be hiked for New year
Bengaluru, December 27: Transport Minister DC Thammanna said that as the transport corporations were incurring losses due to repeated increase in petroleum prices, it was inevitable for the government to hike the bus fares.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha here on Thursday, the Minister said that shortly he would submit a proposal to the Chief Minister on hiking bus fare in KSRTC and BMTC buses. Recently, a proposal was submitted to hike 17 per cent bus fare. But the CM had withheld the proposal. The bus fare was hiked in 2013 when diesel price was Rs 53 per litre. Till now, the bus fare was not hiked, he said.
Because of diesel price hike, the government has been incurring Rs 677 crore loss annually. When proposal was submitted for 18 per cent hike, diesel price was Rs 74 per litre and now, the price was decreased to Rs 70 per litre. Even then, the corporations were under loss. Though it was not aimed at bringing the loss-making public sector transportation corporations, the CM would be requested once again to approve the proposal to hike the bus fare, he said.
GPS compulsory to private buses too
Like KSRTC buses, he has directed all private bus operators to install GPS equipment compulsorily. While plying on certain routes, the buses should not be stopped to get passengers wherever they want, he said.
Purchasing new buses
Total 7000 new buses including 4000 for KSRTC and 3000 for BMTC would be purchased for the corporation, the Minister said.
Most of the buses in the corporation were not in good condition. New buses would be commissioned in place of them. It was decided to purchase pollution-free buses to protect the environment in Bengaluru city, he said.
"After coalition government came to power in the state, steps were taken to fill vacancies in the department. The process of filling total 300 RTO was on".
- DC Thammanna, Transport Minister
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3 Indian students among those injured in Australia’s Bondi Beach attack
Melbourne (PTI): Three Indian students were among 40 people injured in the terrorist attack on Sydney's Bondi Beach in Australia, according to a media report on Tuesday.
Two out of these three students are believed to be receiving treatment in the hospital, The Australia Today news portal reported.
The names of the Indian students injured during Sunday's attack have not been disclosed yet.
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The Indian students sustained injuries during the shooting, and their exact condition has not been formally confirmed yet, it said.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50, opened fire on a gathering during the Jewish festival Hanukkah by the Sea celebration.
At least 15 people were killed in the attack, including a 10-year-old child. Five of the injured remain in critical condition, while two injured police officers are in serious but stable condition, it added.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the investigation is expanding as new information emerges, including international travel by the alleged attackers and the discovery of extremist material, the report said.
