Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Apr 5: The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has given an opportunity to the public till April 15 to submit their requests for new KSRTC buses in the city.

This was informed at the RTA meeting convened at the DC's office here on Tuesday, April 5 by deputy commissioner (DC) A B Ibrahim.

The DC instructed the KSRTC officials to receive requests from the public after the KSTRC sought permission to 17 new permits where the private buses could ply on a regular basis.

The KSRTC sought new routes from the State Bank area, but the DC rejected the request and instructed the KSRTC officials to request for new routes for its 17 JNURM buses where no buses run.

"Still there is time to accept requests from the public. The KSRTC's request does not reflect the needs of the public. The KSRTC officials must discuss with the public and the people's representatives and submit fresh requests," the DC said.

Activist Hanumanth Kamath accused the KSRTC of operating old buses sent from Mysuru. "KSRTC belongs to the public. It must act according to the needs of the public. There is no bus from Sultan Battery to Mangaladevi. The KSRTC officials are operating old buses instead of new ones. We are ready to wait for new buses. KSRTC must operate new buses in the new routes," he urged.

A person expressed concerns about accidents happening because of the reckless driving of bullet tankers. Superintendent of police (SP) Dr Sharanappa replying to this said that a meeting has been already convened with the tanker owners. "We have taken these accidents seriously. Once again we will convene a meeting with them," he said.

In-charge transport officer S G Hegde was present.