KSRTC to shift depots; services not to be hit
Transport minister makes faux pas, gives details of bus stand shifting plans
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will relocate its two depots functioning in the premises of KSRTC bus stand in Majestic area to hand over the land for Metro rail works. Of the total 35 acres belonging to KSRTC in Majestic area, 20 acres will be handed over to BMRCL by the end of this month.
As many as 250-300 buses will be shifted to Shantinagar depot and another 80 to 100 buses will be shifted to Mandipet bus depot. According to KSRTC officials, passengers will not be affected as the Corporation will not be shifting its ongoing services from the KSRTC bus stand.
Ashok’s version
However, Transport minister R Ashok, in a press conference on Thursday, said majority of the services from Kempe Gowda bus stand would be shifted by the end of this month to facilitate the metro rail work. The Corporation would make alternative arrangements for the commuters in bus stands in Shantinagar, Hebbal, Balekai Mandi off Mysore Road and Peenya.
The minister also said the Corporation would offer free service in BMTC buses to reach the new bus stands for those who had booked tickets in advance.
This arrangement would continue for three years. After the completion of the work, BMRCL would retain seven acres of the total 20 acres and return the rest to KSRTC.
He also added that BMRCL would bear the shifting charges and the metro work would not affect services of BMTC.
No inconvenience
Higher officials of the Corporation, who refused to be quoted citing that their version would contradict the minister’s statement, said that as of now there would not be any inconvenience to passengers.
“Right now we are shifting only depots from the main bus stand. The bus services will continue at Kempe Gowda bus stand normally. The Corporation has a plan to decongest the bus stand by improving infrastructure in Peenya, NGEF and Hebbal bus stands. But there is still a long way to go. Except in NGEF, works in other places have not yet been completed,” a senior officer said.
The officer said two depots had been built in Shantinagar bus terminus. The two existing depots in Kempe Gowda bus stand would be shifted there as BMRCL would require the land where the depots existed.
“The corporation’s plan is to de-congest the bus stand gradually,” he said.
