Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 5: President of Canara Bus Owners Association, Rajavara Ballal, claimed that private buses have never caused any harm to city buses being run by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation under Jawarhalal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). He termed as unfortunate the comment made by minister, Pramod Madhwaraj, terming the stay order against these buses as condemnable.

"Delegations from our organization had met the minister many a time and convinced him that people can reap benefit if JNNURM buses are provided to areas which do not have bus connectivity and that private buses too can survive in such an atmosphere. But, JNNURM buses  have been given permission to operate in routes that are already served well by private buses. KSRTC also has violated rules by running buses to Shirva, Hebri and Shivamogga from here," he clarified.

Ballal further stated that unless an integrated policy for transport in the district is formulated, the entire private transport system in this area will crash within two years. He also felt that to avoid the need for private operators to approach courts frequently, the district in-charge minster should invite the people concerned for discussions.

It is gathered at a meeting of high level officials convened at Bengaluru on Tuesday July 4 to discuss the imbroglio created by the said stay, the transport commissioner has suggested to circumvent the problem by issuing temporary licences for JNNURM buses. Although currently JNNURM buses are granted permanent licence, they were not issued in tune with the time table. Private bus owners have been arguing that licences should be issued in the order in which these applications were received and kept pending since long. Considering this issues, the transport commissioner opined that issuance of temporary licences can solve the problem.