Bus fare hike not on agenda now: Madan

Hike in bus fares in Kolkata is not on the agenda immediately and the matter was not likely to come up for before February, if at all, West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra said today.
The next group of ministers meeting is not likely to be held earlier than February, he said.
Bus operators are demanding bus fare hike pleading rising diesel price.
"It is not correct to say current fare structure is loss making," Mitra asserted when asked by reporters about the fare hike.
He said to coupe with the need for public transport, the department will procure 900 JNNURM buses by March 31 and permits for 1000 taxis are already ready.

Mitra said the state government had decided to offer permits to small vehicles for use as public transport in and aound the city.
Referring to autorickshaws, he said a committee has been formed to go into matters related to them and said the drivers must comply with the rules set by the government by January seven next year. Raids would be conducted to nab the violating drivers.
Speaking about the new chopper service in the state, Mitra said it has received tremendous response and government will try to connect more destinations.