Karnataka - Mysore   

Commuters can look forward to better public transport system

MYSORE: The public transport system will witness a sea change in the days ahead as the Government proposes to launch several projects in Mysore. Along with the Intelligent Transport System, Mysore will also see the launch of four high-tech bus- stands at a cost of Rs. 108 crore. These will be established at Kuvempunagar, Yelwal, Chamundi Hills and Sathgalli. All of them will be state-of-the-art, complete with shopping arcades and basement parking. The project will be launched within 15 days, according to the Transport Minister R. Ashok.

Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, the Minister said the Government recognised the importance of Mysore as an emerging city, next only to Bangalore, and hence it would be accorded top priority to introduce new facilities to bring it on a par with the capital in all aspects.

The concept of Intelligent Transport System to be unveiled in Mysore would entail 100 high-tech bus shelters with digital display of the scheduled arrival and departure of buses along various routes.

The bus fleet will be embedded with Geographical Positioning System (GPS). A control room will be able to monitor bus movements and help streamline the operations. An automatic microphone devise in the buses can be activated in case of an accident and the control room will be able to make speedy arrangements for rescue and first aid, said Mr. Ashok.

The Minister said improving public transport system in Mysore could lead to reduction in traffic congestion and its efficiency may prompt people to travel by bus rather than by private vehicles.

He added that the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), which was proposed for Mysore was still pending with the Union Government.

The project was to be taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and a detailed report was prepared and submitted by Infrastructure Development Corporation of Karnataka (IDECK).

However, there had been no response for a year giving an impression that it had been shelved. But the Minister said “BRTS was not dead” and he would visit Delhi shortly to hold discussions with the authoities about it.

Mysore will also have 750 vehicles operating on bio-fuels like ethanol.

The KSRTC in Mysore will have a large number of buses running on bio-fuels.

This would help reduce pollution by 70 per cent, said Mr. Ashok. As a Dasara gift to Mysore, the Minister has launched new services connecting the city with Bangalore. “Ambari”, a new service, will join the fleet of services like Airavata, Rajahamsa, Sheetal, with each air-conditioned bus costing around Rs. 38 lakh.

Refuting reports that a bus fare hike was in the offing, the Minister said all he had said was the issue would be discussed with the Chief Minister if necessary.

Mr. Ashok listed out better amenities to public, enhancing revenue collection by other means like advertising and curbing tax evasion by private operators as a few of his priorities to revamp the Transport Department in the State.

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