Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (VP)
Mangaluru, Jun 28: School buses and private vehicles departing from Akash Bhavan in the morning are severely overcrowded, making daily commuting a challenge. This issue also affects areas like Kunjathbail, Atrabailu, Kavoor, and Bondel, where buses are packed during peak hours. Currently, private bus route number 33, which operates from State Bank to Akash Bhavan, is particularly congested in the mornings and evenings. Due to the significant population in and around Akash Bhavan, residents have requested that KSRTC buses serve the Mangaladevi-Akash Bhavan and Akash Bhavan-State Bank routes to ease the commuting strain.
Introducing KSRTC bus services would greatly benefit daily commuters from areas such as Akash Bhavan, Parapade, Gollarbettu, Ananda Nagar, Kambodi Bettu, Manjal Katte, Kadlahittalu, Sujikallu Gudde, Mullakadu, and Nandapur. Buses departing from Akash Bhavan are frequently filled to capacity, predominantly with students. The overcrowding makes it difficult for students to travel comfortably, especially with large school bags. Passengers often have to remove their bags, and those with seats are expected to carry several bags for others. Citizens have suggested that KSRTC should provide bus services in the morning and evening, introduce a pass system for students, and extend the free travel scheme for women to them as well.
Kamala, a retired teacher, shared her experience, "Years ago, there were fewer buses connecting Akash Bhavan. Despite fewer vehicles, the crowds were larger, making bus travel an adventure. Even during my school days or pregnancy, finding a seat on the bus was a rare luxury."
During peak hours, buses are crowded with students, senior citizens, and pregnant women. Senior citizens find it especially difficult to travel standing in crowded buses moving at high speeds. One senior citizen expressed a desperate need for government-provided bus services to their area. The community has also requested that buses extend their routes to include Atrabail in Kunjathbail, where currently, only four buses are permitted, and they return from Kunjathbail, leaving a 1 km gap to Atrabail. This distance is challenging for the residents, including poor families, who rely on public transportation.
Complaints have been raised regarding bus route number 44, which runs from Kunjathbail to Ullal. Residents of Atrabail have reported that rather than addressing their concerns, authorities have informed bus operators of the complaints, leading to threats against the complainants.