'KSRTC applied for 53 permits to run buses in Mangalore, Udupi'

  However, the RTA has not issued permits so far, alleged Nagarika Hitharakshana Samithi President Hanumantha Kamath.

Addressing a press meet here on Friday, he said “as the RTA did not issue permits, the KSRTC had applied for temporary permits to 25 city buses and 6 buses to Udupi by paying Rs 27,900. However, even temporary permits were not issued so far.”

He said that the Deputy Commissioner has given a statement that KSRTC has not applied for permits to run buses within the city and to Udupi. The statements are contradictory in nature, he alleged.

Kamath said KSRTC has sought permits to run buses to Udupi, Talapady-Surathkal, Kunjathbail-Mangaladevi, Mangaladevi-Bondel, State Bank-Tannirbhavi, State Bank-Chelyaru MRPL colony, B C Road-Kateel, B C Road-State Bank-Mangalore, Mangalore- State Bank-Udupi, State Bank-Karkala, Mangalore-Amblamogaru, Mangalore-Mudipu-B C Road, State Bank-B C Road via Thokkot-Mudipu-Melkar, State Bank-B C Road via Thokkot, Mudipu-Ira-Montimar-Manchi-Kukkaje-Melkar.

He said “after the DC notification of 1994, no permission were given for the buses to ply to State Bank area. However, in 2004, contract carriage buses were given permits to operate from State Bank to Kasargod. After the Supreme Court order for the suspension of private buses to Kasargod, KSRTC started plying to Kasargod with the old permits. However, KSRTC is not allowed to enter State Bank area. Why the district administration is showing partiality towards KSRTC. Why concession was given in the notification for the contract carriage buses?” he asked.

He said: “The KSRTC is not given the permission to operate from State Bank area, which is causing lot of inconvenience to the passengers. The passengers who travel in KSRTC from Kasargod have to alight from the bus at Jyothi Circle or Balmatta and take another bus to State Bank, Hampankatta region. By not allowing KSRTC to enter State Bank, district administration is following anti-people’s policy.”

Kamath said “Private bus owners lobby is coming in the way of operating KSRTC buses in the City limits. In the interest of the public, the DC notification of 1994 must be suspended and KSRTC buses must be allowed to enter State Bank area. Transport Minister should solve all the problems related to the introduction of KSRTC buses within the city limits at the earliest.”