Date:18/03/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/03/18/stories/2007031822610500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Budget: transport sector is sore

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The road transport sector is not happy with the budget proposals as Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has not addressed its major demand for equal pricing of diesel on a par with neighbouring States.

The Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association, in a statement, said fleet owners are suffering because of higher diesel price in the State. Also, the higher price has been driving the business out of the State.

The federation was also critical of allocation of a "mere" Rs. 5 crore for construction of truck terminals.

`Big blow'

The budget has been a great blow to the transport sector.

Mr. Yediyurappa who had promised to remedy grievances of the sector, had not even glanced at the demands, said federation president G.R. Shanmugappa and secretary B.V. Narayanappa.

The budget also allocated Rs. 5 crore each for construction of driving test tracks in all districts, modernisation of the transport department and construction of regional transport offices.

For corporations

The budget has allocated Rs. 50 crore each for the North West and the North East Road Transport Corporations to improve the basic infrastructure.

A sum of Rs. 130 crore has been set apart as the Government's share to the four road transport corporations towards extending concessional travel facility to over 11 lakh students.

Minister happy

Transport Minister N. Cheluvaraya Swamy told The Hindu he was happy with the fund allocations for the department.

Though the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation did not get any allocation, separate proposals seeking funds would be sent to the Government, he added.