Udupi: DC warns action against buses neglecting passenger safety

Udupi: DC warns action against buses neglecting passenger safety

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Nov 11, 2025: Deputy Commissioner Swaroop T.K. has directed that private buses must prioritise passenger safety by ensuring that doors are installed and kept closed during travel. She also instructed that reserved seats for senior citizens, women, and persons with disabilities should not be occupied by others and that the rules must be strictly followed.

She was speaking at a meeting of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) held at the DC’s office hall on Monday.

During the meeting, the public complained that many private buses operate without doors or fail to use them even when installed. A student from Padukone route said there were no buses available in the afternoon, forcing students to walk 1.5 km or spend money on rickshaws. She requested the introduction of a government bus on this route.

Residents also complained about the lack of government buses to Kollur, a major pilgrimage centre. Officials informed that the Rajahamsa service between Kollur and Bengaluru would be replaced by KSRTC buses.

Mandatory stop instructions

Sheelavathi from the Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane pointed out that buses, both private and government, fail to stop at Maravante bus stand, causing difficulties to students and women.

Responding to this, the DC warned that all buses must compulsorily stop at designated bus stops, failing which legal action will be taken against the operators.

Public representative Rajeev Padukone raised concerns that no buses operate between Kundapur and Noojadi, leaving a 3 km stretch without service. He urged that government buses be allowed on the route.

Citizens also complained that private buses on the Kollur–Byndoor route prioritize wedding trips during the season, leaving regular passengers stranded.

Private bus owners expressed concern that the introduction of more government buses on the Udupi–Barkur–Mandarthi route, where nine KSRTC buses already operate, could harm their business. They claimed that due to the ‘Shakti’ scheme, women prefer government buses over private ones.

Action against overloading

Public members also highlighted the issue of overcrowding during morning and evening peak hours and demanded additional buses. Bus owners suggested adjusting school timings or having schools arrange their own buses to ease the load.

Referring to a past incident where a Nitte college student died after falling from an overcrowded bus, officials said that in the last three years, 5,200, 7,300, and 1,062 cases of overloading were registered respectively.

The meeting was attended by RTO in-charge Santosh Shetty, bus owner Sadananda Chatra, Suresh Nayak Kuyiladi, and CITU leaders Kaviraj and Shashidhar Golla.

Action against buses not operating on allotted routes – SP

District Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar stated that both private and government buses holding route permits but not operating on those routes will face legal action if complaints are received from the public.

He added that filing High Court injunctions against minor route or timing issues is not appropriate and warned that private operators violating transport laws would face strict action.

Joint survey before granting permits

Private bus owners complained that KSRTC buses were given route permits without conducting joint surveys, which led them to seek court orders. KSRTC officials, however, maintained that surveys were conducted.

CITU leader Raju Padukone alleged that some private buses do not operate on the routes for which they have permits, misleading authorities.

The Deputy Commissioner concluded that no future permits would be issued without a proper joint survey.