Association demands shifting of bus stand from Bandimutt to Karkala

Association demands shifting of bus stand from Bandimutt to Karkala

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 12, 2012 : The Canara Bus Operators’ Association has warned that bus service to Karkala will be stopped if the bus stand is not moved back to Karkala from Bandimutt.

It may be recalled that the district administration had directed bus operators to ply buses from Bandimutt, 7kms from Karkala proper 3 months back, and the bus operators had done so. However, the bus operational cost went up because of this new service and buses were unable to maintain timings because they had to cover a few extra kilometers to reach Bandimutt.

Meanwhile, traders in Karkala met CM D. V. Sadananda Gowda and urged him not to move the bus stand as trade would suffer. Although the district administration was not keen about it, it was decided on Thursday that the bus stand will not be moved back, as per the CM’s directive.

Furious bus operators said that they will stop services to Bandimutt if the district administration does not move back the bus stand as they were running into a loss because of unnecessary trips made between Karkala and Bandimutt.

Further, the bus operators are forced to run buses at higher speeds to maintain time, and this will lead to accidents in future, especially during the monsoons.

The bus operators have warned that they will simply return from the outskirts of the town and not even enter Karkala if the bus stand is not moved back to its original position.

DC M. T. Reju said that the CM has asked him to solve the problem. He said that a report is currently being awaited from the RTO and the police department, adding that he will sort out the issue as soon as he gets the reports.