Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Mar 4: Replying to a question raised by Mangalore MLA, U T Khader, transport and home minister, R Ashok, told the assembly on Thursday March 3, that steps would be taken by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation to run services even in non-nationalized routes in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district.

Khader had drawn the attention of the minister to the fact that a number of bus owners from DK district, who have obtained permits in routes that are not nationalized, have not been running buses because of intense lobbying by other private bus operators. He said that this practice has been creating problems for the people. “Most of the routes in the district are non-nationalized. As per 2001 census, 150 villages out of 354 in the district are covered by nationalized routes in which government buses run. In addition, out of the remaining 204 villages, government buses are running to about 112 villages. Applications have been submitted to the regional transport officer for permits to run buses in 23 additional routes,” he explained.

Khader also demanded action against those private bus owners, who have failed to operate services even after obtaining permits, or to cancel their permits forthwith.