People may retaliate; need to slash penalty for traffic offences: Karnataka CM

News Network

September 11, 2019

Benglauru, Sept 11: Fearing retaliation from people in upcoming polls, Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa has directed the Transport Department to “immediately” slash fines for traffic offences.

The development comes in the wake of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced a cut in penalties for traffic violations by almost 50% in the state. Both Karnataka and Gujarat are currently ruled by BJP and both states are infamous for unmotorable roads.

During a review meeting, Yediyurappa asked the Transport department to look into what Gujarat had done on reducing the fine amounts. “Citizens are facing inconvenience due to the hefty fine amounts,” Yediyurappa told officials, according to a release from the chief minister’s office.

Citizens have been frowning upon the hefty fines, with some arguing that the government should provide good road infrastructure first.

Yediyurappa’s diktat comes a day after Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, who is in charge of the Transport Department, said there was no proposal before the government to reduce the fine amounts. But soon after the meeting with the CM, Savadi told reporters that the fines will be reduced in line with what Gujarat has done.

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2019 was passed by the Parliament in July, and the steep fines for traffic rules violations came into effect from September 1. Karnataka notified the new fines on September 3.

Fines for offences have gone up ten times. For example, those caught engaged in racing without permission have to pay Rs 5,000 for the first offence and Rs 10,000 subsequently, riding without a helmet will cost Rs 1,000, use of horns in silent zones will attract Rs 1,000 and drunken driving will be penalized with Rs 10,000 fine.

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Mangaluru’s public transport revolution: 100 new govt electric buses to end private ‘trip-cutting’

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

• Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

• State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

• Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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