Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore   

States keen to copy `Grameena Sarige' model

By S.K. Ramoo

Bangalore Sept. 30. The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC's) unique venture, "Grameena Sarige'' (rural transport service), launched exclusively by means of a fleet of buses with limited seating capacity ranging between 38 and 41, has received acclaim and approval, particularly from rural masses in the pockets where they have been introduced.

Inducted initially as a pilot project in select districts, the KSRTC has resolved to extend the Grameena Sarige services to 22 districts by October following the encouraging response. It plans to provide connectivity to all villages with a population of 500 and above. The KSRTC has already provided transport facility to over 22,000 villages, and these services comprise 30 per cent of the total schedules operated by it, according to P.K. Garg, Director (Security and Vigilance).

Mr. Garg says that the successful launching of the Grameena Sarige has attracted the attention of State transport corporations, including those of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, which are keen to emulate this novel transport system. The ultimate objective of the Grameena Sarige services is to extend coverage to more than 90 per cent of the rural population in phases under a rigid time-bound programme, Mr. Garg says.

The KSRTC, following a detailed study of smaller buses in comparison with the regular, large bus fleet, quickly gauged the advantages of the former for exclusive use for its rural transport service.

The induction of the buses for providing rural transport services began yielding positive results within two months of their launching, and the operational losses were markedly low compared with the regular bus fleet. Rural connectivity has materialised among hobli, taluk, and district headquarters in select pockets, and the rural population has acquired mobility at a low cost. The service has helped minimise the hardship experienced by rural commuters.

The Grameena Sarige has faced the challenge posed by some unscrupulous private maxi-cab operators, who were overcharging rural commuters. Now, rural people can travel in comfort and safety. The KSRTC is earning more than Rs. 12 lakh a day following the induction of the Grameena Sarige services.

The KSRTC has signed annual contracts for the repair and maintenance of the buses with the manufacturers of the vehicles.According to S.K. Paramesh, Chief Mechanical Engineer, the ergonomically designed passenger seats, the lower unladen weight, and better power have combined to give the buses advantages over the bigger buses.

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