'HC judgements obstacle to issue bus permits'

Though 644 applications were received, the High Court single bench judgement of 2000, High Court Divisional Bench judgement of 2001 and High Court orders of 2005 and 2009 posed obstacle to settlement of the applications.

Addressing the reporters after convening the RTA meeting, Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj said that HC order of 2000 stated that route formation must be made by the Government and RTA has no right in this regard but the 2001 order superseded this and said that route formation can be made by the RTA and it need not wait for the Government. In 2005 and 2009, following the order of 2001, RTA made as many as 25 routes, which was challenged by the existing operators at the High Court. Since there is a stay order on these route formation, it prolonged the period of RTA meeting and also posed problem in settling the application.

Ponnuraj informed that first 130 applications were those applications which have been remanded by the court. From 131 to 424 dealt with fresh cases listed, while 424 to 514 applications dealt with fresh applications both from KSRTC and private buses. Here the applicants have been asked to fill modified applications within 15 days and file objection by another 15 days. Applications from 515 to 553 deal with variations pertaining to route, curtailment etc. Remaining applicants too have been given time to file modified applications.

He also clarified that the KSRTC Volvo buses proposed to be started between Mangalore-Manipal will have no problems with regard to DM notification.

Transportation hub

Citing that all the problems pertaining to traffic in general and buses in specific can be solved only if the existing bus stand in State Bank is shifted, the DC said that first phase of land acquisition for the proposed bus stand in Pumpwell has been completed and an area of 7.5 acres has been acquired already.

Stating that the proposed project will put up a ‘transportation hub’ having flow of public, private and inter state buses along with various facilities for the commuters, he said that the second phase of land acquisition will be started soon wherein about 11 acres of land will be acquired.

“The acquisition may take some time as there is no provision for acquisition from MCC because it has not been mentioned in the budget. However, as of now, we will have to immediately spend Rs 2 crore to Rs 4 crore for filling and preliminary preparation works. The total project as of now may cost anywhere between Rs 25 to Rs 30 crore.”

“Tender will be floated soon for the same,” he said and added that the transportation hub will be taken up in Private Public Participation model wherein the Corporation, KSRTC (which has given in-principle approval) and private companies will join hands.