The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has stopped its Volvo services to Hassan following the closure of the Shiradi Ghat stretch of National Highway 75 for road works. Before the closure, 36 Volvo buses plied towards Mangaluru via Hassan, and another 38 towards Bengaluru via Hassan.
Now, heavy vehicles commuting between Hassan and Mangaluru have been diverted to Mysuru–Madikeri route. “We have appealed to the KSRTC to allot four Volvo buses of Hassan depot so that we can run them on the Hassan-Bengaluru route,” said B. Manjunath, traffic controller of KSRTC bus-stand in Hassan.
Hassan residents were able to avail themselves of the services of more Volvo buses, compared to other district centres as it falls on the route connecting two big cities — Bengaluru and Mangaluru.
Impact of closureWith the closure of Shiradi Ghat stretch, only ordinary buses are allowed to ply on Charmadi Ghat.
With the diversion of Mangaluru-bound ordinary buses to Belur-Charmadi Ghat route, the number of trips commuting to Sakleshpur has also come down.
Considering the demand on this route, Hassan depot has added 30 additional trips between Hassan and Sakleshpur a day.
Trips to Belur“Trips to Belur have increased as all Mangaluru-bound ordinary buses go via Belur. We have withdrawn some of our trips on this route and diverted them to Sakleshpur,” Mr. Manjunath said.
Now, the work is going on in the stretch between Heggadde and Gundia. Vehicles are stopped at Donigal itself.
Those residing in Maranahalli, Kappalli, Kadumane and Heggadde have problems in reaching their destinations. The KSRTC depot at Sakleshpur runs one trip a day to Kadumane.
Residents of these villages have to depend on private autorickshaws or four-wheelers. National Highways division of Public Works Department is contemplating issuing passes to the residents of these villages, who have private vehicles. They have to show the pass at the Donigal check-post. People have to provide address proof, along with an identity card, to receive the passes.
