Govind D Belgaumkar/The Hindu

Mangalore, Mar 11: The introduction of city bus service by the Mangalore division of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is seen as a solution to the alleged rude behaviour of private bus crew with passengers.

People have expressed strong support to the KSRTC’s proposal, which was announced by Transport Minister R. Ashok. During his recent visit to the district, the Minister reiterated his commitment to the cause and reinforced people’s hopes of an early end to their transport problems. The introduction of KSRTC bus services in the city is expected to create a competitive environment so that the quality of service and the behaviour of bus crew may improve in the near future.

According to KSRTC sources, the Government might approve the move after Lok Sabha elections. Private bus lobby, which is said to be having the support of some “influential people”, is trying to stall the implementation of the proposal. “It depends on the decision to be taken at Vidhana Soudha,” a highly-placed KSRTC source said.

The division is preparing itself with plans to introduce 100 buses in the city in phases. It has started building a depot on its vacant site on Bejai-Kadipad Road, near the KSRTC guest house and the KSRTC staff quarters. On Tuesday pits were being dug for erecting 22 pillars there.

The sources in KSRTC said the construction would cost about Rs. 1.8 crore. It might require about nine months for completing the construction, including about three-months’ gap for the likely stoppage of work in the rainy season. The depot would be within one-km distance from the KSRTC bus-stand at Bejai. The KSRTC would have to make alternative arrangements for parking and servicing of city buses, if introduced before the depot was ready, the sources said.

The KSRTC has sought permission from the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), headed by Deputy Commissioner V. Ponnuraj, to run 39 buses on two of the five routes planned for the city. The KSRTC proposed to run 24 buses from Talapady to Surathkal, and the rest from Mangaladevi to Kunjathbail, both via Jyothi Circle and Lalbagh. The other routes proposed to be introduced are: Kankanadi-Kavoor, Kankanadi-Mudushedde, and Mangaladevi-Surathkal.