State-of-art transit centre opened

Transport Minister R Ashoka dedicated the newly built inter-model transit centre (IMTC) constructed at a cost of ` 4.64 cr at Yelwala on the outskirts of city on Sunday.
The IMTC is built on a plinth area of about 19 guntas and has all the modern amenities to cater to the commuters.

The facilities include parking area, canteen, rest room, a police outpost, cloak room, reservation counter.

While, the stalls within the complex will be open to ATMs, tourist information centre, railway, Bus and air ticket reservation counters besides offering other services.

The inauguration comes only a day after the Minister opened the IMTC centre at Kuvempunagar. Ashoka said the transport department and KSRTC would strive at achieving commuter satisfaction.

“The idea is to make mass transport system popular. The cost of diesel and petrol prices is burdening the economy. It is time that people rely on the public transport for their daily activities. KSRTC will increase the frequency of buses to every destination and ensure safe and easy commuting. Citizens can join hands with the department cutting down their dependency on two wheelers and four wheelers. It will also contribute to cut down pollution levels,” he said.

The Minister said the Karnataka Transport Corporation received wide appreciation in New Delhi as the Centre has directed all the states to adopt the Karnataka model in public transport system.

“The Transport department has effectively utilised the funds released by the central government under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. There are more number of buses added to existing fleet in Mysore. The bus services in city is better organised and offer good service than the public transport buses in New Delhi,” the Minister said quoting his Delhi experience.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said the KSRTC should become service-oriented institution rather making profits.

 “The authorities should run more buses to the rural parts. Students in villages who ply to urban cities and towns for schools and colleges will benefit. There are instances when the officials run buses after we bring to notice about deficient service in a particular village, but withdraw the service in a month citing poor commuter response,” he ridiculed.

The transport department was a non-profit making institution. It should focus on providing better connectivity and commuter-friendly service, he said.

MP Vishwanath said the centre released ` 16,000 crore to state under various schemes in the financial year 2010-11. The planning commission has earmarked ` 74,000 crore for the state for the 12th financial plan. The state should utilise these funds efficiently, he stated.