The Hindu : Karnataka News : In need of city bus service Ground truth

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Monday, Mar 31, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

In need of city bus service Ground truth

For various reasons, city bus services in Chitradurga have not continued
for long

Chitradurga city is in need of better local public transport facility. With the boundaries of the city extending, the demand for city bus services has increased.

The population of the city is 1.5 lakh, while the floating population is reckoned to be over 60,000.

Following persistent demand, the then Transport Minister P.G.R. Sindhia introduced two city bus services in 1985, which were in operation for just over a year. The reason given for termination of services was the loss incurred by the Transport Department. It was only after 10 years that the two services were reintroduced, but they were withdrawn after just two months.

The previous Deputy Commissioner K. Amaranarayan’s efforts resulted in the introduction of two services last year, but they too did not continue beyond two months.

In the absence of city buses, the people are depending mostly on autorickshaws.

Shanmukhappa, a senior citizen, said that even nearby villages such as Pillikerehalli, Medehalli and Tamatkal have come under city limits.

Several colleges and hospitals are located about 2 km from the city.

Extension areas such as IUDP Layout, Sadiknagar, Teachers’ Colony and Bank Colony are also far from the city.

“Students, officials and workers are the main sufferers. In the interests of the people, the Government should introduce at least four bus services, covering the nearby villages and prominent localities of the city,” he said.

KSRTC divisional controller G.R. Venkateshwar Reddy said that as the city did not have proper road connectivity in extension areas, it was not possible for the department to introduce services.

According to him, the radius of the city should be at least 9 km or each bus should cover a minimum of 300 km per day.

“As the service does not work out, we have no plan to introduce city bus services,” he asserted.

But giving positive indications, Superintendent of Police Labhu Ram, who is one of members of the Road Transport Authority (RTA), said in the interests of the public the service could be introduced. “We will discuss the matter at the RTA meeting and take a decision,” he said.

Firoz Rozindar in Chitradurga

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