Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Raichur, May 22: Deputy chief minister (DCM) and transport minister Laxman Savadi said that the private buses will start plying within the next two days.

Savadi spoke to the press after having a meeting with regards to COVID-19 with officials. He further said, "As the private buses are not there, KSRTC is incurring a loss. However, the state government is still running the buses as a service to society.

"Permission is given to private bus operators to run buses by collecting 15 per cent more fare from the passengers. They had requested an increase of 50 per cent. However, we have permitted a hike of 15 per cent. The road tax of private bus operators is also waived. Private bus operators have been asked to provide information on the passengers travelling on their buses. They have to follow all the rules that are applicable to the government-run KSRTC buses.

"We are facing problems due to Maharashtra and Gujarat. Three districts in Maharashtra do not have coronavirus. But many of our people from Dharwad, Belagavi and Vijayapura districts have gone to the districts in Maharashtra where the infection is more. We have brought 16,000-18,000 people back to our state from Maharashtra. The infection is increasing in our state due to the people of our state who have returned from Maharashtra and Gujarat," he added.

"The state government has decided to provide transport facility to all. We are bringing our people from other states and sending the migrant labourers of other states to their hometowns. Due to migrant labourers, coronavirus infection has increased in Raichur. This pandemic is going to continue for some time. So social distance needs to be maintained by the public. The police department has to ensure that only one rider is allowed on two-wheelers,” he said.