The Maharashtra government has decided to run 3,000 additional state transport buses between cities in the state during the Diwali season with a fare hike ranging from 10-20 per cent, a move that has been severely criticised by the Opposition Congress and the NCP.
According to Maharashtra transport minister Diwakar Raote, the department has taken the decision to keep a check on private transporters who hike their fares manifolds during festive seasons.
“The department has repeatedly got complaints over private operators, who hike fares manifolds during festive seasons. People from the middle class have been finding it impossible to pay such exorbitant ticket prices,” said Mr Raote.
“According to the current law, the transport department cannot do anything against private operators. However, the transport department does its part in ensuring that people have to depend less on private operators,” Mr Raote told reporters on Wednesday.
The additional buses will ply on the roads for 20 days, starting from November 5.“Fares for AC buses will be hiked by 20 per cent, 15 per cent for non-AC buses and 10 per cent for common buses. I am sure people will have no problem in paying a little extra money instead of paying thousands extra charged by private operators,” he said.
Criticising the government’s move, the Congress demanded an immediate rollback of hiked fares, while the NCP said that the government is indulging in “pick-pocketing.”
