It’s recession time, but Bangaloreans will have to bear the brunt of a price rise, thanks to the newly formed Congress-led central government’s move to increase rates of petrol and diesel. Fuel prices were rolled back only three months ago, but has again been increased only to kick up the rates of vegetables, fruits and auto-rickshaw fares. While prices of vegetables and fruits at Bangalore’s wholesale markets have gone up, the Lorry Owners are threatening to increase transportation charges and autowahlas and state-run buses are planning to propose for a rise in fares.
“We are planning to hike transportation charges by 6% which will translate to a 15% hike in vegetable prices in the next two days. We will submit a memorandum to the prime minister on July 7,” said GR Shamugappa, president of Karnataka Lorry Owners and Agents associations.
Aslam Ameer, a vegetable vendor in Russel Market predicts further rise in the rates. “Prices of dry ginger, garlic and potatoes have gone up. These commodities come from other states and are likely to be costlier in future,” he said. The wholesale price of mango has increased by Rs5 and pomegranate by Rs10.
Auto associations are also planning to increase the minimum fare by one rupee, taking it Rs15, if the state-run busses go for a fare hike. The rate per kilometer will be set at Rs8 and the meter will begin running from 1.7 kilometres.
Meanwhile, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation is waiting for the minister to return. “There is every possibility that fares will go up,” said the chief traffic manager of BMTC, K Vishwanath.
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