The introduction of 30 low-floor buses to be provided under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission for Udupi city is expected to be delayed by another two months.
These buses were expected to be introduced in April. But, it was delayed because of the Lok Sabha elections. They can operate within 20 kilometres in the city. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has conducted a survey on the routes on which these buses can operate. It has sought permits to run buses to areas such as Malpe, Manipal, Alevoor and Udyavar.
“We have applied for route permits with the Regional Transport Authority (RTA). The final call has to be taken by the Deputy Commissioner, who heads the RTA,” said T.G. Kempananjaiah, Divisional Traffic Controller, Mangalore Division.
However, in the last RTA meeting about a month ago, a decision was not taken on this matter.
Muddu Mohan, Deputy Commissioner, said route maps were essential and he had directed the Regional Transport Officer to prepare them.
“It may take about a month to prepare these maps. We will discuss the matter in the next RTA meeting. We would like these buses to run in areas where there is lesser bus density. They might begin operation in two months,” Mr. Mohan said.
Meanwhile, a depot for these low-floor buses is being constructed on 1.8 acres of land at Nittur here behind the KSRTC depot. The depot, when completed, will include a workshop, a canteen and rest rooms for bus drivers and conductors. “The construction of the depot will be completed in about three months,” said B.S. Rajappa, manager of Udupi KSRTC bus depot.
A bus stand exclusively for these buses is also likely to come up. “The bus stand will be constructed on about 25 cents of land at the Old DDPI office near the city bus stand,” said Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA.
Women and senior citizens are all for the low-floor buses. Lakshmi Bai A., trustee of Udupi Consumers’ Forum, said that it would be easier for women to board low-floor buses than the high-floor private city buses.
“We have been demanding these buses for a long time,” she said.
