Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Jul 17: Government buses should operate in every phase without looking at the profit and loss factor, former MLA Pramodh Madhwaraj said while speaking to the media.

The former MLA said that the government buses are meant for service to the masses and not just for profit. “At any cost government buses should not go behind availing profit. Government buses are meant for public service. Private bus operators always look for their profit as it is their business, but government buses are not meant for business. I had fought to introduce JNNURM buses during my tenure as MLA. I had even faced much opposition from private bus operators and from the government officials. The JNNURM busses were running continuously without any problems until my term but after I lost the seat, the number of JNNURM bus services started to decrease one by one. Today it has come to a complete stand still. We are there to take care of people. It is natural that due to JNNURM buses private operators had to face losses, but in a bid to save private buses JNNURM buses should not be stopped from their service. It is a plot to completely stop the JNNURM bus service,” he said.

Madhwaraj stated that the move has resulted in people facing trouble. The district administration has arranged government buses for its staff, but the employees of private firms are suffering without having proper facilities to commute. He said that it was a dual attitude of the district administration. "The JNNURM buses must resume to ply with immediate effect. There should not be any kind of anti–people attitude of the representatives," he said.

Stating the amount spent and infrastructure built, he was confident that the government could run the JNNURM buses with a view towards public interest. "4 crore worth JNNURM bus stand, 30 crore worth KSRTC bus stand and 8 crore worth KSRTC depot works were constructed by me for the people. Social distancing and other government norms can be easily imposed in JNNURM buses as the officials of the JNNURM buses come under government control," he added.

“I introduced JNNURM buses as it would be helpful for the people to board the bus, especially the aged and children. I agree that due to JNNURM buses private bus operators have faced a huge loss, but as representatives of people we should facilitate the people rather than trouble the public. These buses were environmentally friendly. 62 busses were introduced by me. These buses could be used during these hard times. District borders are sealed down, but normal economic activities are being conducted in the district. People are already suffering and people who have to go to work are additionally suffering as they do not have a proper commute facility. Private bus operators had the intention to stop the service of JNNURM buses, but the district administration should try to save these buses. I feel pity as JNNURM buses are vanishing from service,” Madhwaraj said.

Currently all the private, KSRTC and JNNURM buses have ceased their service due to the seal down. There is a huge demand from the public to restart the service of these buses to facilitate commuting within the district.