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KSRTC buses in Mangaluru: RTA to take final call


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru: August 6, 2015: As people have sought a few modifications and extension of services on the routes proposed by KSRTC to operate city buses under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) in Mangaluru city, Regional Transport Authority (RTA) will take a final call on issue of permit to the KSRTC, at a meeting to be held on August 22.


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Speaking at the RTA meeting held in the City on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim directed the KSRTC to hold public consultations on the 17 routes proposed by it for operating 35 buses under the JnNURM and make modifications as per the demands of public. The KSRTC should submit a report by furnishing facts and figures on the existing buses on the routes and the density of population within seven days.

17 bus routes 

The counsel for the KSRTC said that the corporation had received 1,147 applications from public and RTO had received 1,157 applications for introducing the buses on the routes. The applicants had sought for introduction of buses on 155 routes. Depending on the demand, 17 routes have been finalised by the KSRTC. The routes finalised by the KSRTC are— State Bank-Katipalla via Vishwabhavana (3), State  Bank-Talapady via Kankanady (2), State Bank -Shakthinagara via Jyothi (1), State Bank-Kaikamba via Mallikatte (2), State Bank- Moodushedde via Mallikatte (2), State Bank-Katipalla via Jyothi (3), State Bank-Mukka via PVS (2), State Bank-Kunjathbail via Kuloor (2), State Bank-Kunjathbail via Kavoor (2), State Bank-Kateel via Bajpe (3), Talapady-Bondel via State Bank (2), State Bank-Vamanjoor via Pacchanady (2), State Bank-Mudipu via Deralakatte (2), State Bank-Mudipu via Madyar (2), State Bank-Someshwara via Ullal (2), State Bank-Kumpala via Thokkottu (1), State Bank-Bajal via Padil (2).

The counsel said that RTAs in Shivamogga and Udupi districts had already granted permits to the KSRTC to operate city bus services. As a part of social committment, the KSRTC is ready to operate on all the 155 routes sought by the public.

Citing the district magistrate (DM) notification of 1993, the counsel for private and city bus operators said that the DM notification comes in the way of introduction of the KSRTC buses from State Bank area. At the same time, the RTA can issue permits excluding the DM notification area. The rules of the DM notifications should be applicable to all irrespective of the KSRTC and private bus operators.

The counsel said that the RTA should find out the necessity of the buses on the routes proposed by the KSRTC. There is a need to conduct a route survey to know the volume of the traffic.

Nagarika Hitharakshana Samithi president Hanumantha Kamath said that the DM notification needs to be amended keeping public interest in mind.

The public have been waiting for the last three months for the RTA to decide on operating the KSRTC buses under the JnNURM scheme. Inspite of the DM notification in force, the contract carriage buses continue to flout rules and enter the State Bank area and when complained, the RTO officials book cases against a few buses. With the introduction of the KSRTC buses, there will be a choice for passengers. There is a need to modify the routes proposed by the KSRTC in the interest of the public.

Imthiyaz said that bus to Katipalla needs to extended till Janata Colony. Buses need to be introduced to Thanneerbavi. The residents of Amblamogaru still travel on the rooftop of the buses, risking their lives. The KSRTC should introduce a bus to Amblamogaru.

Superintendent of Police S D Sharanappa said that a joint route survey should be part of applications seeking permits in the RTA meeting. This will help the RTA to take a scientific decision. The need for issue of permits should be justified by facts and figures.