In an attempt to ease operations in the Mangalore Division as also to expand its presence and service across its jurisdiction, the Corporation will, by the end of this month, open a new division at Puttur in Dakshina Kannada District. The depot in Madkeri currently in Mysore Rural Division will come under Puttur division.
Sources in KSRTC said that the move is aimed not only at consolidating the Corporation’s position in the coastal region, but also to improve delivery of services.
The Mangalore Division, with seven depots, they pointed out was saturated, thereby requiring the new division for better monitoring and administration.
The KSRTC’s total fleet strength has crossed 7,500, they said, adding “In an ideal situation, we would require one division to take care of 500 schedules and with the bifurcation of Mangalore Division, the old division will have about 400 schedules while the new one will get about 500 schedules.
The new division is a well thought of move given that Puttur and some of the surrounding taluks come under the nationalised routes scheme, requiring the Corporation to focus on providing more bus service.
“Puttur division will definitely help cater to short-distance services, while the responsibility of long-distance and inter-state service can rest with the Mangalore division,” sources pointed out.
The Puttur division will include among other depots––– B C Road and Dharmasthala and Madikeri, which was recently included under Mysore Rural.
Also, the Corporation is looking for land at Sullia for another depot. The Mangalore Division currently has seven depots, including Mangalore I, II, and III, Dharmasthala, Puttur, B C Road and Kundapura and after the bifurcation, Mangalore Division will continue to have Mangalore I, II, III and Kundapura.
Sources pointed out that new divisions and depots will help the Corporation provide focussed service and better management.
