Karnataka’s only 1947 model ’Banashankari red bus’ a relic

Mangalore Today News Network

June 09, 2016: The little known, 1947-model ’Banashankari’ bus, a relic of  pre-Independence era public transport vehicles in Karnataka, is restored to its previous glory and brought back into the public domain. The bus will be kept on display at the KSRTC’s central office in Shanthinagar. The picture here was taken a few years ago by this ’Mangalore Today’ correspondent.

It is reported that it was manufactured under the Bedford brand by a Canadian firm, the bus was used to ferry devotees to the famous Banashankari Devi fair in Badami, Bagalkot district, and the Yellamma fair in Saundatti, Belagavi district, and that is how it got its name. It remained with the Bombay State Road Transport Corporation until the unification of Karnataka in 1956. During the Raj, Bijapur and Belgaum districts were part of the Bombay Presidency. Later, the Bedford bus became a property of the Mysore State Road Transport Corporation. It was used as a passenger vehicle till 1968, after which the operations were withdrawn.

The bus remained in the garages of the KSRTC’s Kengeri depot, with few  being aware of its vintage value. After KSRTC managing director Rajendra Kumar Kataria  learnt that the bus was the last passenger vehicle from the pre-Independence era in Karnataka. He decided to get it restored and put it on public display at the corporation’s central office in Shanthinagar.

 Mechanics toiled for a week to give the bus, whose engine was still in working condition,  a fresh look by fitting new headlights and seats.

The heritage value of the bus has to be preserved for posterity. One can now get a glimpse into the history of Karnataka’s public transport, Kataria is reported to have said.  Perhaps, few people have noticed it some years ago in frount of the KSRTC  Majestic bus terminal. This here is a picture of when it used to be on display and ignored.