'Operation Lotus' mars Karnataka Assembly sessions
Speaker directs SIT probe of audio leak case amidst BJP's protest
Bengaluru, Feb 11: As the “Operation Lotus” audio incident rocked both the Sessions on Monday, allegations and counter allegations of ruling and opposition party members and commotion marred the entire day session.
Raising the audio issue sue motto on Monday morning, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said that the conversation in the audio clip has breached the privilege of the speaker and the Assembly, which led to a prolonged debate on the issue.
Later in his ruling, the Speaker directed Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the audio clip incident and submit an investigation report within 15 days to which the CM agreed and later ordered the SIT investigation into the matter.
BJP opposes SIT probe
However, the BJP members objected to the SIT investigation into the incident saying that the saffron party doesn’t have trust in any investigations done under the state government. BJP members Madhuswamy, Jagadeesh Shettar, Govinda Karajola suggested that apolitical committee be formed led by the speaker himself to investigate the matter.
Responding to the objections by the BJP members, the Speaker explained that this being a criminal case, FIR has to be filed and charge sheets have to be submitted and hence there is no provision for an enquiry being conducted either by the House Panel or Judicial probe.
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Metro ridership in Haryana sees over 13 pc rise in 2025-26
Chandigarh (PTI): Haryana's urban transit system witnessed a strong growth in 2025-26, with metro ridership registering a robust 13.55 per cent increase, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.
The progress was reviewed in the 64th board meeting of Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
Between April 2025 and February 2026, the metro network recorded over 1.74 crore passengers, compared to 1.53 crore in the corresponding period the previous year.
July recorded the highest monthly growth at 22.93 per cent, while all months showed consistent positive trends.
Financial performance has also remained strong, with fare revenue rising 12.64 per cent till January 2026, the statement said.
Non-fare revenue surged by 108 per cent, driven by effective monetisation of station spaces, advertisements and commercial activities, resulting in an operating surplus for Rapid Metro.
Further initiatives, including the auction of station naming rights and additional advertisement sites, are expected to strengthen HMRTC's financial position, the statement said.
Appreciating the performance, Rastogi stated that the consistent rise in ridership and revenue reflects the success of Haryana's integrated transport strategy, rising commuter confidence and a clear shift towards public transport.
HMRTC Managing Director Chander Shekhar Khare said that, alongside operational gains, the state is making steady progress on an ambitious pipeline of metro and regional transit projects.
Metro connectivity from Gurugram Sector 56 to Panchgaon is under active consideration, with Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited studying the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and layout plan, and finalising a depot location in Sector 36A near Sihi village, he said.
The Gurugram-Faridabad Namo Bharat corridor has achieved a key milestone, with alignment and station locations finalised and approved by the Haryana government. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation is preparing the DPR, he added.
Similarly, the Delhi-Kundli metro extension is proposed to be placed before the Haryana Cabinet for approval.
The 136.3-kilometre Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS Corridor has also progressed, with the revised DPR submitted for financial concurrence ahead of Haryana Cabinet consideration.
Within Gurugram, DPR preparation has been approved for key intra-city corridors, including the 17.09-kilometre Bhondsi-Subhash Chowk-Rajeev Chowk-Sohna Chowk Railway Station corridor, enhancing connectivity along Sohna Road, Khare said.
