Diesel price hike may force K'taka to hike bus fares

Mysore, May 13 (UNI) Karnataka Transport Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy today said the Karnataka State Road Transportation Corporation would be forced to hike bus fares in the event of the Centre hiking petrol and diesel prices.

Addressing newspersons here, he said that despite all the four divisions of the KSRTC recommending hike in bus fares since December last when diesel prices were increased, the government had not done so and incurred a loss of Rs 75 to 80 crore. However, this time it had no other go but to go in for a hike in bus fares.

Referring to the proposed new bus stand in the city, he said the KSRTC was on the look out for a suitable land for constructing the modern bus stand. The foundation stone for the project would be laid soon, he added.

He also announced that Ms Sharadamma would be the official candidate of the Janata Dal (S) for the Teachers constituency in the coming elections to the Legislative Council.

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