‘Despite demand, KSRTC yet to apply for new route permits in Dakshina Kannada’

Despite demands, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has not sought permits for operating on new routes in Dakshina Kannada district from the District Road Transport Authority, said Deputy Commissioner H.V. Darshan in Mangaluru on Tuesday, November 11.

During the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting chaired by MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, Mr. Darshan said he was getting requests from PU students from Kadaba and Sullia regions for more KSRTC buses as there were more private buses operating in that area. During peak hours, children were found travelling in overloaded private buses. Despite such a situation, the KSRTC is yet to apply for permits.

“Because of the free bus travel facility for women under the Shakti scheme, people prefer KSRTC buses. We (Regional Transport Authority – RTA) will give permits (to KSRTC) by rationalising operation of buses (on a route) and meet the demand for new buses,” Mr. Darshan said.

Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian sought cancellation of permits issued to three private bus operators for not operating on designated routes. Mangaluru City South MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath said permits of private city bus operators not operating to Maroli and few other areas in the city for over a year should also be cancelled. Assuring of action, Mr. Darshan asked Senior Regional Transport Officer Shridhar Mallad, the Member Secretary of RTA, to place before RTA the list of operators not operating buses on permitted routes.

When Mr. Kotian pointed to the High Court’s stay on the permit granted to KSRTC between Mangaluru and Moodbidri after an appeal by private operators, Mr. Darshan said henceforth, while issuing permits, KSRTC will be asked to file caveat before the courts.

KSRTC officials said the first set of 50 EV buses will start operating shortly from the KSRTC bus depot in Kuntikana.

Mahakalipadpu

Arun Prabha, General Manager (Technical), Mangaluru Smart City Limited, said the Jeppinamogaru-Morgangate four-laning work will be completed shortly and the stretch will be opened to traffic by December 20. The Southern Railway has already completed the twin railway underbridge work at Mahakalipadpu, he said.

Capt. Chowta said the Secretary to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India has taken serious note of the delay in construction of the six-lane bridge across Phalguni River in Kuloor. The official has assured of an alternate plan to complete the work, the MP said.

Mr. Darshan directed Additional Deputy Commissioner K. Raju to hold a meeting with National Highways Authority of India Project Officer Abdullal Javed Azmi and other stakeholders to resolve civil disputes related to a school, saw mill, and place of worship, which were coming in the way of the ongoing National Highway widening work between Sanoor and Bikarnakatte.