Mangaluru : Transport Minister and Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Chairman R. Ramalinga Reddy on Friday said the state road transport corporations would offer city bus services in all cities and towns with a population of more than a lakh.

He was speaking after laying the foundation for a KSRTC bus station at B.C. Road near here. Mr. Reddy said at present services were being offered in 18 cities and towns other than Bengaluru and 12 more cities would be brought under KSRTC services in two months.

Mr. Reddy said that the public transport services in towns and cities had to be augmented keeping in view of the fact that about 50 per cent of the population would be residing in cities by 2025.

The Minister said the KSRTC was aware of peculiarities of its divisions in Mangaluru, Puttur and Chamarajanagar, where employees from outside these areas found it difficult to adjust to food habits and weather conditions. Hence, the corporation would deploy only local people in these regions. He said he was also against frequent transfers of employees as that would affect their working capabilities.

The bus station at B.C. Road is being built at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.5 crore on a 1.5 acre plot near the national highway. Mr. Reddy said that if more funds were required, KSRTC would provide it. The bus station spread across 4,879 sq mt, would have a basement, ground, first and second floors. There would be 12 bus bays, waiting area, toilets, drinking water, luggage room, refreshment centres, commercial shops and basement parking facility.

Meanwhile, Mr. Reddy said city buses procured under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) would be plying on Mangaluru city routes within two months. He told The Hindu that he had spoken to the Deputy Commissioner with regard to permits. Presently, the low-floor buses procured by KSRTC for Mangaluru were undergoing trial, he said.