Karnataka Government Unveils Major Developments for Dharwad and KSRTC Fare Hike

Karnataka's state cabinet approves separate corporation for Dharwad and 15% fare hike for KSRTC buses starting January 2025. Minister HK Patil emphasizes the move's role in regional development and financial stabilization, citing increased operational costs and infrastructure enhancement plans.

In a significant development for Karnataka, the state cabinet has sanctioned the establishment of a separate corporation for Dharwad, often heralded as the cultural capital of Karnataka. This decision, disclosed by Karnataka's Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs, and Legislation HK Patil, aims to decentralize governance and elevate the region's potential growth.

Concurrently, the cabinet has ratified a 15% hike in the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus fares effective January 5, 2025. Minister Patil underlined that the fare adjustment seeks to counteract the budgetary constraints plaguing KSRTC, spurred by surges in fuel costs and other economic variables. The fare revision is expected to bolster the corporation's revenues, generating an additional Rs 74.84 crore monthly.

The fare hike, following a decade-long gap, aligns with similar actions taken by other transport bodies years earlier during lower diesel price periods. This fiscal measure will impact KSRTC bus services statewide, intended to alleviate the financial disarray exacerbated by operational cost spikes.

(With inputs from agencies.)