Karnataka - Mangalore   

Regulate operation of public transport, say citizens

CAUSE OF CONCERN: Parking of city buses in a haphazard manner at the main terminus was the focal point of discussion at ‘Janaspandana’ in Mangalore on Saturday.

MANGALORE: Death of two students in an accident at the main State Bank of India city bus terminus recently figured at the “Janaspandana” programme organised by the district administration here on Saturday. Karnataka Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (Bheemavada), which raised the issue, urged the administration to take immediate steps to regulate the manner in which buses were parked and operated from the terminus.

S.A. Prabhakar Sharma, Additional District Magistrate, who chaired the meeting, termed the incident as “unfortunate” and said: “I will request the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the chairman of the Regional Transport Authority, to intervene in the matter.” P. Keshava, Mysore divisional convener of DSS, said the manner in which buses operated in the city was a matter of concern for all.

Authorities should erect a divider on the stretch between Hamilton Circle, opposite SBI main branch, and Rao and Rao Circle. Police should ensure that all buses terminating their services there picked up and dropped the passengers in an orderly manner, he said. An employee in Deputy Commissioner’s office suggested that a road hump be put up at the circle opposite Hotel Swagath to ensure that the buses slowed down before entering the terminus. To a question by Mr. Sharma on the action taken against the bus driver who allegedly caused the accident, the Transport Department official said that they were awaiting a report from the traffic police. “Once the report and recommendations arrive, we can initiate action against the driver,” he said. Mr. Sharma advised them to explore the possibilities of cancelling the driver’s licence in view of the severity of the accident.

S.P. Anand, district convener of DSS (Ambedkarvada), drew the attention of Mr. Sharma to the poor condition of the bridge across a rivulet at Shirlalu village in Belthangady taluk.

Noting that the bridge was frequently submerged during monsoons, Mr. Anand said people found it difficult to cross the bridge during rainy season as it did not have a railing. Mr. Sharma referred the matter to the engineering division of the zilla panchayat.

Taking cognisance of an appeal by Vinayak Kamath, accountant, about the delay in issuing a ration card to him, Mr. Sharma instructed the Deputy Tahshildar to expedite the matter.

Mr. Kamath said he needed the ration card as an address proof to avail monthly allowance of Rs. 400 for his physically challenged son.

S. Rama Bhat, retired official of education department, alleged that the department was delaying payment of his retirement benefits. He said his petition to the Deputy Commissioner in December last had not evoked any response. Mr. Sharma directed the official concerned to clear Mr. Bhat’s case on priority.

Mr. Sharma said that the Deputy Commissioner had received 192 petitions since December last. Of them, 25 had been disposed of, he said and added that the rest were in various stages of clearance. Mr. Sharma instructed the officials to acknowledge the petitions routed to them through Janaspandana and file an action-taken report at the Deputy Commissioner’s office for records.

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