Soon, you may be able to travel in Volvo bus to Dharmasthala from Mangalore for a Rs. 100. Realising that most people are using own or hired cars to travel to Dharmasthala – a favourite destination among both residents and tourists – Mangalore Division of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has come out with a plan to run Volvo services to the temple town.
KSRTC Divisional Controller M. Mahesh told The Hindu that the division would run set aside four Volvo buses – to be coloured differently for easy identification – for the premium but subsidised journey for the devotees of Shri Manjunatheswara – the presiding deity of Dharmasthala.
Mr. Mahesh said though KSRTC would incur an expense of Rs. 145 per passenger, the plan is to use the available Volvo buses to maximum use. He said the proposal was awaiting clearance from KSRTC headquarters in Bangalore, which was keen to allow only about 10 per cent concession.
But Mangalore division was eager to offer the round off the fare to Rs. 100.