Siddaramaiah demands immediate roll back of hike in railway fares
Bengaluru (PTI): Slamming the BJP-led government at the Centre for the railway fare hike, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has demanded its immediate rollback.
The railway ministry issued an official circular on Monday, increasing the fares of the non-air-conditioned class in mail and express trains by 1 paisa and all air-conditioned classes by 2 paise per kilometre from July 1.
"Railway fares hiked!! Who bears the brunt? The daily wage workers, students, small traders, and the common man struggling under rising prices," Siddaramaiah posted on 'X' on Tuesday.
He said, "When we increased milk prices to help our farmers, Karnataka BJP shouted in the streets, and called it anti-people. But now, when the BJP led Union Govt hikes railway fares, there is deafening silence. Why? Because this hike doesn't help farmers or the poor, it only helps BJP Government fill its own coffers."
Noting that when metro fares were hiked in Karnataka after 8 years, BJP leaders rushed to blame the Congress government, ignoring the fact that the fare hike decision was taken by a fare fixation committee constituted by the Union Government itself, he said. Back then, the Centre "manipulated" the narrative to place the burden on the state government, Siddaramaiah added.
"Now, with this railway fare hike, who will they place the burden on?" he asked.
"Your (BJP) 'Vikas Express' seems to run only on the sweat and tears of the poor, while your leaders enjoy power by trampling on democracy. The double standards are clear," he claimed, adding that the BJP's concern for the common man vanishes when it is about its own revenue.
Stating that the Congress stands with the people of Karnataka and the country who are forced to pay more for essential travel, Siddaramaiah said this fare hike must be rolled back immediately.
"Don't make people's daily travel another jumla. Let the trains run, not the people's patience," he added.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
