Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Mar 30: The state-run KSRTC on Monday March 30 urged for new permits to run buses on 35 routes in the city, but met with opposition from private bus operators' association. The issue was discussed at the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) meeting presided over by deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim at DC's office here.

Issues such as extension of routes, change of existing routes and providing new permits to buses were discussed at the meeting. At the end, the DC asked KSRTC to apply for 25 different routes out of the 35 already applied permits.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Sharanappa, superintendent of police, Dakshina Kannada said "Many applications are coming in for new permits. A lot of permits have been already issued, but the operators have not assigned buses on routes specified in the permits. Hence, before requesting for new permits, the applicants have to bear in mind facts like time gap between buses, passenger capacity, and viability to reduce complications and inconvenience to public. Ask the permit only if you want to run the buses."

DC A B Ibrahim said, "Once you take the permit, you have to run the buses in the specific routes. You cannot give reasons like the route is not viable. There are lot complaints from public that operators take permits, but do not run buses. So you have to take into consideration all these facts before you request for permit."

Advocate Rakesh Shetty, on behalf of KSRTC put forth the request for 35 permits to run buses in different parts of Mangaluru city under JnNURM scheme. He said, "KSRTC is the number one transport corporation in India. The people of Mangaluru should also be allowed to avail the benefits of KSRTC. In this regard we are asking for 35 permits to run buses in Mangaluru city. According to the notification of 1967 under Mysuru scheme, Bangaluru scheme and Mangaluru scheme some routes are exclusively reserved for KSRTC. KSRTC is running buses not with profit motive but to provide good service to the people. We give concession to students, handicapped, senior citizen and journalists."

Opposing the proposal, an advocate representing bus operators' association said, "The main objective of JnNURM was to fill the vacuum where there are no buses. Mangaluru scheme of 1967 is not applicable to city buses as in the cases of Bengaluru and Mysuru. So there is no question of exclusive routes for KSRTC in Mangaluru. Already 28 permits have been given to them but they have not placed buses in all the routes. Let them assign buses in those routes first."

Hanumanth Kamath, president Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedike said, "These notifications were given in 1992 but now the population has doubled. NURM scheme is not only for buses but also for the development of roads. But we demand it to be used for buses as there are different funds for development of roads such as MP, MLA and corporator funds. NURM scheme should be only used for buses. I request you not to issue permits to routes applied by KSRTC as there are a lot of buses already on these routes. Permits should be given to routes where there are limited buses."

After listening to all the arguments, the DC invited the public to give their suggestions to KSRTC and RTO as to where the buses need to run. He also directed the KSRTC to apply for 25 new routes among the 35 routes demanded. The next meeting will be held on April 20.

Many route extension requests were accepted whereas a few were rejected keeping public interest in mind.

RTO Afzal Ahmed Khan, ACP (traffic) Udaya Nayak, office-bearers of different bus associations, rickshaw associations and NGOs were present during the meeting.