Karnataka - Bangalore   

‘Atal Sarige’ launched in Bangalore

BANGALORE: To mark the completion of the Bharatiya Janata Party Government’s first year in office in Karnataka, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has introduced a low-fare bus service for the benefit of economically disadvantaged sections.

Named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the bus service christened “Atal Sarige” seeks to provide a comfortable and reliable transport service at almost 50 per cent of the ordinary fare to the poor working class in Bangalore.

The 25 new buses of “Atal Sarige” inaugurated by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and flagged off by Transport Minister R. Ashok at the National High School ground at Basavanagudi on Saturday will provide direct connectivity to areas populated by the economically weaker sections of society. According to the route details provided by BMTC officials, the “Atal Sarige” services will be between Avalahalli BDA Layout and Banashankari bus stand, Srinagar and Ramakrishna Ashram, besides Gangondanahalli and Sirsi Circle at a concessional fare of Rs. 4.

The buses will also ply between Ulsoor and Periyarnagar, Chowdeshwari J.P. Park and Shankar Nag bus stand, MCTC bus station and Sunkadkatte, Nagawara and Balekundri Circle, Bommanahalli and Jayadeva junction, Goverdhan Talkies and Chickabanawara, 8th Mile Tumkur Road and Byadarahalli, Ullalu Upanagar and MCTC bus stand, besides Lakshman Rao Nagar and MCTC bus stand for Rs. 5 per trip.

Speaking to presspersons after inaugurating the “Atal Sarige” and an exhibition comprising stalls of various State government departments at the National College grounds, Mr. Yeddyurappa said a total of 30,000 people from different parts of the State would receive various benefits on the occasion of the first anniversary of the BJP Government on Sunday.

“About 30,000 people from all parts of the State, who are beneficiaries of various government schemes, will be attending the event”, he said.

He said the BJP Government had managed to reach the Government’s benefits to a large section of the people during its first year in power. “We hope to continue with the good work for the remaining four years of our term and hold a similar function each year”, he said.

Apart from the development programmes taken up in various parts of the State, the Government had focussed its attention even on the development of Bangalore, he said and referred to the Government’s proposal to open four gardens on the lines of Lalbagh in each corner of the city, besides setting up four hospitals on the lines of Bowring Hospital. “The first 8-km run of the much-awaited Metro will be carried out within the next one-and-a-half years”, he said.

Mr. Yeddyurappaearlier visited each of the 48 stalls put up by various government departments.

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