Mumbai To Bengaluru Airfare Skyrockets As Bus Services Halt Over Language Row; Check New Ticket Prices

Bus services between Maharashtra and Karnataka have been suspended due to fresh tensions over the Marathi-Kannada language issue. Nearly all operators, including the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), have stopped services over safety concerns for passengers and staff. The suspension has led to a sharp rise in air fares between Mumbai and Bengaluru, according to a Hindustan Times (HT) report.

As per the same report, Murad Naik, vice chairperson of the Mumbai Bus Malak Sangathana, confirmed that most private buses between the two states had also halted operations due to unrest in border areas.

The dispute mainly affects Belgavi and nearby areas in north Karnataka, where many Marathi speakers live. This region has seen several protests and incidents of violence over language issues in the past.

Recent Incidents Escalate Tensions

Tensions flared up last week when a KSRTC bus conductor was allegedly assaulted in Belagavi after an argument with two students over speaking in Kannada instead of Marathi. On Friday, a pro-Kannada group allegedly attacked an MSRTC bus driver who spoke Marathi. In response, members of the Shiv Sena (UBT) held a protest in Pune's Swargate area on Saturday night, where buses with Karnataka registration plates were smeared with black paint.

KSRTC operates around 120 buses daily from Belgavi to Maharashtra, while MSRTC runs about 250 services to Karnataka. Private operators also provide nearly 500 daily services. However, due to the ongoing tensions, most of these buses have been suspended, sources said. The services will resume only when the situation improves.

The affected routes include services to and from Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Dharashiv, Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur, Sawantwadi, Belgavi, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Bijapur, and Niphani.

Passengers Face Travel Disruptions

Passengers who had booked tickets on these routes are being refunded, Naik confirmed. Many people are now choosing alternative travel options.

Sohail Kazi, a passenger from Mumbai, said he had to change his travel plans due to the bus suspensions. "Instead of taking a direct bus to Bengaluru, I will go to Goa first and then take another bus from there," he said. He avoided travelling via Kolhapur, fearing being stranded or overcharged by taxis crossing the state border.

Airfares Soar Due To High Demand

The suspension of bus services has led to a surge in airfares between Mumbai and Bengaluru. On Sunday, the cost of a ticket on Indigo's evening flight reached Rs 17,500, while Akasa Air's late-night flight was priced at Rs 12,000. The highest fare was for Air India's 9.30pm flight, which cost Rs 30,000 per ticket. Flights from Bengaluru to Mumbai were priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 23,000.

Senior officials from both states are closely monitoring the situation before deciding on resuming public transport services.