Although introduction of city buses by KSRTC on August 23 and extension of Yeshwanthpur-Kannur Express night service to Karwar on October 17 were landmark developments in transport sector, both are yet to reach the optimum level in terms of their utility.
The launch of KSRTC bus services is far too limited in spread to be of any significance to the travelling public of the fast-growing city.
A few of the services to Mudipu, where KSRTC services were welcomed by people with much fanfare, have been reduced and diverted to Ullal.
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Although the KSRTC maintained that it was willing to run 53 services in the city and that it had sought Regional Transport Authority’s permission to do so, the corporation and the government have hardly demonstrated any will to act. The railways is yet to add more coaches although coaches between Mangalore and Karwar are running full. What is frustrating the railway commuters is the fact that railways has chosen to add three coaches to Yeshwanthpur-Kannur portion of the train rather than the Karwar portion.
Milestones
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November 26: Bus fares increased
October 15: Minister of State for Railway K.H. Muniyappa announces building of bridges at Padil and Jeppu Kutpadi as soon as government deposits half the cost
September 20: Coimbatore-Bikaner train via Mangalore Junction introduced
September 19: Goods train moves backwards and overshoots Goods Shed compound into a private industrial premises causing damage to the building
July 24: Konkan Railway announces augmentation of RO-RO (Roll-on and Roll-off) service by adding sixth rake
July 1: 53 trains including 39 express trains speeded up in Palakkad division
April 30: Six second class seating coaches added to Mangalore-Verna Express
April 2: Widening of Naguri-Mangalore Junction Road (Kankanady Railway Station 1 Cross Road) demanded at meeting to review the progress of railway projects
March14: No announcements for coastal Karnataka in Railway Budget.