Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)
Mangaluru, June 16: The circular regarding integrated area plan issued by the Karnataka transport ministry on June 10, has raised questions whether it will hit the privately owned transport system that is accepted to a large extent in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
As the ministry intends to follow uniform policy, no new permits will be issued to private buses. The circular does not state if there is provision for renewal of present permits. There are 413 city buses, 594 service buses and nearly 50 contract carriage buses in Mangaluru. Besides nearly 100 buses with permits obtained in Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and other places are plying in the districts. It is not known whether their permits will be renewed.
Non renewal of private bus permits may put an end to their nearly 100 years long satisfactory service. It has caused anxiety among private bus owners and thousands of staff who depend on private buses for their living. There is also no answer to what will be done to the buses if their services come to an abrupt end.
The private vehicles in Hubballi-Dharwad are allowed to run till their permits expire. There is no scope for renewal of their permits. No temporary or time based permits will be issued later as per the circular. However whether private permit holders in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi will be allowed to function has remained a question.
In-charge senior RTO and deputy commissioner of transport G S Hegde said that permits are being renewed once in five years at present. “The office had received 128 applications for new permits. Nearly 350 applications received earlier were pending. However as per the new circular by the transport ministry, there is no scope for permits to new buses,” he said.
Rajavarma Ballal, president of Canara bus owner's association said that the private bus service was started in 1915. “The government does not want private buses even though we have served the people keeping their welfare in mind. We will be submitting our objections to the government and the court regarding the new notification after obtaining the opinion of legal experts,” he said.