KSRTC Kannada website begs updation urgently

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), which has launched several progressive e-service initiatives in the last few months, has not shown the same enthusiasm in maintaining its website.

A cursory look at the website in its Kannada version reveals that the information contained is completely outdated especially about its own staff.

A link to the list of officers shows that the last time the list was updated was on January 1, 2011.

While KSRTC has done everything to provide a good platform for online booking in both English and Kannada versions, information about its structure or list of officials to be contacted and their telephone numbers, leaves a lot to be desired in the Kannada version.

‘Ashoka still minister’

According to information currently available, R Ashoka is still the transport minister, whereas Ramalinga Reddy assumed the charge nearly one-and-half-month ago.
Gaurav Gupta is still Managing Director, though he took over as BWSSB Chairman last year. The list of inaccuracies does not end here.

The website mentions  Jaggesh is KSRTC vice-president, Bharat Lal Meena as Bangalore Development Authority Commissioner, I S N Prasad as Chief Minister’s Secretary, M K Shankarlinge Gowda as Secretary (Transport), K R Srinivas as Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation Managing Director and T Shyam Bhat as Transport Commissioner.

‘Change required’

Many passengers feel that KSRTC, one of the government agencies which is the forerunner in utilising services of information technology, needs to change its style of functioning as regards e-services.

However, inaccuracies are seen only in website in Kannada language, while the website in English language has been updated properly. Again, there a few wrong translations as well. The meaning given for non-official is unofficial (anadhikruta instead of adhikaretara when translated). According to the website in Kannada language, KSRTC’s current president and vice-president are unofficial.

Most of the information in Kannada language is outdated, while more than 50 per cent of the 17 directors have been transferred months ago.

There are a few numbers given to seek information, but nobody gives accurate information needed to contact the right persons, a passenger who called up this office said.