Mangaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has commenced operation of mini buses between Sullia and Madikeri via Sampaje Ghat, which has been partially restored after it was completely devastated during the rainfall in August.

Mini buses, being operated by the Madikeri Depot of the Puttur Division, run only between Madikeri and Jodupala of the ghat stretch. From Jodupala, KSRTC operates normal buses to Sullia to provide connectivity.

Puttur Divisional Controller Nagaraj Shirali stated that the corporation has deployed five mini buses on the ghat stretch operating at a frequency of 25 minutes. The first and last services from Jodupala and Madikeri start at 6.30 a.m. and 8 p.m., respectively, he said.

To a question why the corporation did not operate mini buses at least till Sullia so that passengers are not forced to change buses frequently, Mr. Shirali said that such an arrangement would have resulted in reduced number of trips. The corporation wants to ferry as many people as possible between the two points and it does not have that number of mini bus coaches. Connecting buses would be available at Sullia and Jodupala, he added.

Besides the five mini buses on the Jodupala route, Madikeri Depot is operating another six mini buses in Kodagu where connectivity has been an issue, including the Makutta stretch, Mr. Shirali said.

Thus, those travelling between Mangaluru and Madikeri need not endure long hours of journey and can take a KSRTC service to Sullia, then another connecting service to Jodupala to board the mini bus to Madikeri.