Karnataka Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh on Friday announced the release of ₹170 crore towards pending salaries of employees of the State’s four transport corporations, ahead of the Varamahalakshmi festival.

The Minister made the announcement after holding a meeting with representatives of over 15 workers’ unions at the KSRTC Central Office in Bengaluru. Various demands of transport employees were discussed during the meeting.

Mr. Suresh said the State government revised the salaries of transport corporation employees in 2025, resulting in a total liability of ₹1,221 crore. Of this, ₹450 crore has already been paid, leaving ₹821 crore pending. He said the matter was discussed with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who approved the immediate release of ₹170 crore.

The Minister said other demands, including extending the existing wage revision by another 12 months, conducting salary revisions once every four years and holding long-pending union elections, would be discussed further with the Chief Minister and the Finance Department before being placed before the Cabinet.

He also announced that health insurance would be extended to employees of BMTC, KKRTC, and NWKRTC, following its implementation in KSRTC. Free bus passes will also be issued to retired transport employees, replacing the existing ₹500 annual fee.

Published - August 14, 2026 08:27 pm IST