Party claims fares have risen by 75% in a year; demands immediate rollback of latest increase of around 40% for ordinary buses
TFP Bureau, Raipur, October 20, 2026: The Congress on Monday criticised the Chhattisgarh government over the latest bus fare hike, calling it an “atrocity against the public” and an anti-people decision that would add to the financial burden on ordinary passengers amid rising inflation.
Vandana Rajput, state Congress chief spokesperson, alleged that bus fares had been increased by a cumulative 75% in two rounds within a year. She said the latest revision had raised fares for ordinary buses by approximately 40%, placing an additional burden on labourers, farmers, salaried employees, students and middle-class families.
According to Rajput, the revised rates issued by the Transport Department have increased the fare for ordinary buses from ₹1.25 to ₹1.75 per kilometre—an increase of 50 paise per kilometre.
She said the higher fares would raise monthly travel expenses for people commuting regularly for work, education, medical treatment and business.
“The fare hike is not merely an administrative decision; it directly affects the pockets of millions of passengers already struggling with rising living costs,” Rajput said.
Congress questions impact on households
Rajput questioned whether the state government had assessed the financial condition of low-income families, students and salaried workers before approving the increase.
She asked how daily-wage workers would afford their regular commute, how students would manage rising education-related expenses and how small business owners and salaried employees would balance household budgets amid inflation.
The Congress spokesperson also said the timing of the hike had added to public difficulties during the festive season, when many people travel to meet family members or attend to essential personal matters.
Demand for rollback
The Congress has demanded that the state government review the revised fares, make public an assessment of their financial impact on ordinary passengers and withdraw the increase immediately.
Rajput said the government should address the concerns of bus operators through a transparent process but should not transfer the entire financial burden to passengers.
The allegations and demands were made by the Congress as it criticised the BJP-led government headed by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai over the fare revision.
