Obey rules first, then demand, DC tells bus owners

Air pollution control month awareness campaign begins in City

Bus operators who alleged poor response and addressal towards their problems by district administration got a tit-for-tat from Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda, when he asked bus operators to obey the laws first and then demand response for their problems.

He was replying to Canara Bus Owners’ Association President Rajavarma Ballal’s speech, while addressing the gathering, after the inaugural function of Air Pollution Control Month at Lions Seva Mandir on Saturday.

The deputy commissioner, who is also the Chairman of Regional Transport Authority, said that private buses in City are not obeying the rules. “The buses are not stopping in bus stops.

Instead, they stop either before or after the designated bus stops and honk at ‘no horn zones,’ especially at the Balmatta PU College premises, which is a ‘No Horn Zone.” Terming it as an example for the arrogance, he wondered how the students are studying in that college with the continuous noise pollution.

Earlier, MLA Krishna J Palemar inaugurated the air pollution control month awareness programme. Stating that a joint effort is required from all concerned for reducing air pollution and other pollutions, he demanded the deputy commissioner to take strict action against the petrol pump owners who sell adulterated petrol and diesel. He said that air pollution causes many diseases including skin diseases.

On the occasion, he released air pollution awareness stickers and FM Radio advertisement.
Regional Transport Officer C Mallikarjuna said that vehicles are contributing the lion share of air pollution. He said that the department will organise programmes to create awareness among the public. “Special programmes will be conducted for the bus employees also,’ he said.

Lions Club President Dr Arvind Rao was also present. The programme was jointly organised by the district administration, Regional Transport Office and Mangalore Lions Club.