RTA asks KSRTC to file fresh applications for 17 more routes

RTA earlier sanctioned 18 routes to KSRTC against the 35 sought

Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim (right) chairing the RTA meeting in Mangaluru on Tuesday.— Photo: H.S. Manjunath

Breaking the imbroglio over city bus permits to KSRTC under JNNURM in Mangaluru, the Dakshina Kannada Regional Transport Authority (RTA) on Tuesday asked the corporation to file fresh applications for 17 services from State Bank and avoid saturated routes.

Amid vociferous opposition from private bus operators, the RTA had earlier issued permits to KSRTC on 18 routes as against 35 demanded.

At Tuesday’s meeting, RTA Chairman and Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim asked the corporation to file fresh applications for permits avoiding congested routes.

The District Magistrate Notification banning entry of new services into State Bank area would be relaxed if the KSRTC chooses non-serviced routes, he said.

He asked the corporation to elicit public opinion again on the requirement of services before April 15 and fixed April 30 as the date for the next meeting to consider the fresh applications.

Private operators, who are opposing KSRTC’s entry into city services, have relied upon the District Magistrate Notification issued in 1990 fixing a cap on the number of buses that can enter into the heart of the city.

Even the RTA had been citing the same notification to deny permits to KSRTC for over two years, though the RTA Chairman and District Magistrate were the same. Despite High Court of Karnataka rulings that the District Magistrate Notification can be modified periodically to suit the changing situation, the District Magistrate was hesitant to modify it till recently and had to act following directions from the government.

Social activist G. Hanumanth Kamath demanded that KSRTC look for routes which are not being serviced presently; but have huge potential in terms of ridership.

There are many unconnected highly populated areas in the city and the corporation should focus on those areas introducing circular route services, he said.

He also chided KSRTC for deploying the old JNNURM buses from Mysuru. Superintendent of Police Sharanappa S. Dhage and in-charge Senior Regional Transport Officer G.S. Hegde were present.