<p>BENGALURU, DHNS: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will induct 20 cargo trucks next weekend in a determined foray into organised freight business. </p>.<p>Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy inspected one of these trucks at the KSRTC central office on Saturday and will flag off 20 on December 23. </p>.<p>The government-owned bus operator has launched its freight business called ‘Namma Cargo’ to increase its non-fare revenue. While the KSRTC has increased its freight traffic revenue from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2.5 crore a month, it’s planning to scale up operations. The induction of 20 ‘Namma Cargo’ trucks is a step in that direction, a well-placed source in the KSRTC said. </p>.Karnataka retains the legal right to use KSRTC abbreviation .<p>These are six-wheeled trucks and each can carry up to 7 tonnes of freight. The official explained that the KSRTC would target packed items from the pharmaceutical, textile, food and hospitality industries. </p>.<p>“We are banking on the brand name of the KSRTC to achieve success in the freight business,” the official told <span class="italic">DH</span>. </p>.<p>The cargo trucks will ply within Karnataka, specifically within the KSRTC’s 14 divisions in southern and coastal <br />Karnataka. </p>.<p>Of the KSRTC’s 8,000-strong fleet, 4,000 buses are capable of carrying luggage. While each ordinary bus can carry 700-800 kg of luggage, premium buses can carry two tonnes each. However, the KSRTC wants to use them mainly for passengers’ luggage. </p>.<p>“We will assess the performance of Namma Cargo trucks and then scale up operations,” the official added. </p>
<p>BENGALURU, DHNS: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will induct 20 cargo trucks next weekend in a determined foray into organised freight business. </p>.<p>Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy inspected one of these trucks at the KSRTC central office on Saturday and will flag off 20 on December 23. </p>.<p>The government-owned bus operator has launched its freight business called ‘Namma Cargo’ to increase its non-fare revenue. While the KSRTC has increased its freight traffic revenue from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2.5 crore a month, it’s planning to scale up operations. The induction of 20 ‘Namma Cargo’ trucks is a step in that direction, a well-placed source in the KSRTC said. </p>.Karnataka retains the legal right to use KSRTC abbreviation .<p>These are six-wheeled trucks and each can carry up to 7 tonnes of freight. The official explained that the KSRTC would target packed items from the pharmaceutical, textile, food and hospitality industries. </p>.<p>“We are banking on the brand name of the KSRTC to achieve success in the freight business,” the official told <span class="italic">DH</span>. </p>.<p>The cargo trucks will ply within Karnataka, specifically within the KSRTC’s 14 divisions in southern and coastal <br />Karnataka. </p>.<p>Of the KSRTC’s 8,000-strong fleet, 4,000 buses are capable of carrying luggage. While each ordinary bus can carry 700-800 kg of luggage, premium buses can carry two tonnes each. However, the KSRTC wants to use them mainly for passengers’ luggage. </p>.<p>“We will assess the performance of Namma Cargo trucks and then scale up operations,” the official added. </p>