JOIN USReplying to a starred question by G Madhusudhan (BJP), he said in addition to Bangalore, Volvo buses are being operated in Mangalore, Mysore, Mandya and Belgaum. The service will be extended to other important cities and towns, especially in North Karnataka, he said. KSRTC is already operating many of its Volvo buses in North Karnataka districts and the number will increase in future.
The State has a total of 842 Volvo buses. Of these, BMTC has the highest with 471 buses, KSRTC has 365 and North-West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation has six. The loss-making North-East Karnataka Road Transport Corporation does not own a single Volvo bus, the Minister said.
He said the Transport department has drawn up a long-term plan for the next 20 years to improve the mass transport system in the State, including Bangalore.
“The day is not far when people will stop using autorickshaws, two-wheelers and four-wheelers. An effective public transport system will be in place soon,” he stated.
Rs 6.59 lakh collected
The government has collected Rs 6.59 lakh as fine for displaying advertisements on private vehicles without permission from the regional transport authorities. Ashoka gave this information, in reply to a question by M Srinivas.
He said according to Rule 127 of the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, vehicle owners had to obtain permission to display advertisements.
On violation of the rule, the officers of the department had powers to levy penalty. The government found 575 such cases of violations in the State. In Bangalore, the department collected penalty of Rs 20,100 in 115 cases.
Dowry cases
Of the 7,954 dowry cases registered in the State in the last five years, only 98 were decided in the courts and culprits punished, Ashoka, who is also the Home Minister, said in a written reply. The highest number of dowry cases, 304, were filed in 2009.