VB Fact-Check: Viral tweet showing hike in KSRTC ticket prices false, confirms KSRTC
Bengaluru: A viral tweet is doing rounds on social media, asking whether there has been a significant increase in ticket fares by the state operator KSRTC following the introduction of the free travel scheme. The tweet, posted by user @sAnand1405, questions the extent of the price rise, which appears to contradict the Congress government's decision to implement the "Shakthi" Yojana, offering free travel for women on KSRTC and BMTC buses.
The Viral Tweet!
The user @sAnand1405 shared a tweet featuring a photograph of two different tickets issued on the Virajpete-Mysuru route. The tickets displayed varying fares, with one ticket indicating a price of Rs 121 distributed on 22nd April, and the other ticket showing a fare of Rs 130 distributed on 3rd June.
The user further questioned whether this was an increase done by the Congress Govt in conjunction with the newly formed government’s decision to implement 5 guarantees including the free travel for women.
The user wrote in the tweet, “Is this true? Can anyone confirm? Bus fares gone up since the bitti govt took office?”
Is this true?
— Sanjeev (@SAnand1405) June 4, 2023
Can anyone confirm?
Bus fares gone up since the bitti govt took office? pic.twitter.com/vT36fzcc9z
Fact-Check: KSRTC fares have not gone up, fares mistakenly set in electronic ticketing machines
Speaking to the Vartha Bharathi a KSRTC official confirmed that there were no rise in fares operated by the state owned KSRTC. Both the buses were operated by two different divisions and were traveling to Napoklu in Madikeri.
As seen in the photo of the tickets, the first ticket shows Harohalli depot in Ramanagara division and the second shows Hunsur division.
Meanwhile, the actual fare for the ticket from Virajpete to Mysuru, as well as in the opposite direction, is Rs 130, said the official. “The bus from Ramanagara division and another from Harohalli depot operate two buses on the same route, which is bound to Napoklu in Madikeri, the fare for this particular journey from Virajpete to Mysuru was intended to be Rs 130. However, due to an error while entering the fares into the Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM), it was mistakenly set as Rs 121. Altough, instead of collecting Rs 130 that is the actual fare we have collected less on that particular trip operated on 22 April, which was unintentional and was a mistake,” confirmed the official.
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Nearly 700 km of Karnataka rivers polluted; cities, towns depend on contaminated water
Shivamogga: A total of 693.75 of river stretches across Karnataka are polluted, and water from several of these rivers is being supplied to towns and cities, the State government informed the Legislative Assembly.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Monday, replying to an unstarred question by Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra during the winter session in Belagavi, Forest, Environment and Biodiversity Minister Eshwar Khandre said rivers are classified into five categories, P1 to P5, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, with P1 being the most polluted.
He reportedly said untreated domestic wastewater from urban and rural areas is the main reason for river pollution. Arkavati, Lakshana Teertha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Cauvery, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shimsha, Bheema and Netravati are the polluted rivers and so far, 112 polluted drainages along these rivers have been identified.
Khandre explained that rivers are classified into five pollution categories P1 to P5. The Arkavati River has been placed in the P1 category, while no rivers fall under P2 and P3. Tungabhadra, Bhadra and Shimsha are categorised under P4, and eight other rivers fall under P5.
Khandre allegedly said domestic wastewater from municipalities, towns and villages along riverbeds is being discharged into at least 17 rivers, identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This is the primary cause of river pollution.
According to the report, the minister said drinking water is being supplied from polluted rivers in districts such as Mandya, Ramanagara, Vijayapura and Shivamogga. In parts of Uttara Kannada, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Bagalkot, local bodies are also drawing water from polluted river sources.
In 2022-23, CPCB identified South Pinakini, Aghanashini, Sharavathi and Gangavali rivers too as polluted. But wrote to CPCB, stating that these rivers are not polluted and sought their removal from the list. An action plan is being prepared for the South Pinakini River, he said.
On remedial measures, Khandre reportedly said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is setting up sewage treatment plants as per the directions of National Green Tribunal.
As per the report, under 12 river rejuvenation plans, the state generates 817.31 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage. While 41 STPs with a capacity of 614.1 MLD are operational, 203.21 MLD of sewage remains untreated.
Work is underway to establish 19 STPs with a capacity of 248.91 MLD, while 39 more STPs with a combined capacity of 357.92 MLD are in the planning stage. Progress is being monitored and reported regularly to the NGT and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The minister reportedly said the state government gave its approval for underground drainage works worth Rs 535.56 crore in 2021 for 24 cities/towns besides Rs 523.80 crore for nine UGD projects.
