Bangaloreans weather fuel price hike stoically

Bangaloreans weather fuel price hike stoically

Anil Kumar Sastry

Prices in State are the highest in the country

BANGALORE: Yet another fuel price hike has not made people any happier. However, like the stoic acceptance of escalation of prices of every other essential commodity, Bangaloreans, too, have taken the Rs. 2 hike in petrol price and the Re. 1 hike in diesel in their stride.

Said K.L. Satish Chandra, a sales executive: “I have to ride my motorcycle at least 80 km a day during working hours. Do you expect me to shun this convenient mode of travel and switch over to overcrowded BMTC buses because of the petrol price hike? Even if the price hike squeezes my pocket, I have to ride my bike to earn my livelihood.”

Pramila Shekhar, a government employee, felt that it was high time that people thought about alternative means of transport and alternative fuels.

Not much emphasis is being given to encourage use of bio-fuels, which not only are cheaper but also save enormous foreign exchange. There must be some vested interests blocking the way of large-scale production and utilisation of bio-fuels,” she said.

With the news of fuel price hike out by Thursday afternoon, the majority of motorists made a last-minute attempt to fill up their tanks. As a result, fuel stations in the city were overcrowded and a few bunks downed their shutters.

Not long ago, Bangaloreans had stomached another price hike in the form of autorickshaw fares. Though the minimum fare was increased by Rs. 2 and per km fare by Re. 1, people continue to ride autorickshaws as it is a necessary evil.

Prices of fuel in Karnataka are the highest in the country because of the higher tax component and 5 per cent entry fee.