Mangaluru: In the backdrop of the success of KSRTC JnNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) city bus service in Mangaluru, KSRTC has come forward to establish a separate bus stand dedicated for its city buses here.

KSRTC has sent a proposal to the government to grant the empty space in front of the KSRTC bus top at Bejai for the purpose.

In Bengaluru, for the city transport facility, there is a particular BMTC bus stand at Majestic and a separate KSRTC Kempegowda bus stand for travelling outside the city limits. In the same way, KSRTC has planned to operate in a systematic manner, its city transport and KSRTC services.

KSRTC Mangaluru bus stand has been established on a 4 acre plot in Bejai. From here, daily there are hundreds of buses operating towards Bengaluru, Mumbai, Sullia, Puttur, Belthangady and to all the corners of the state. Also, out of the 21 JnNURM buses, a few operate from the Bejai bus stand and others operate from Statebank.

Currently, there is a lack of space for city transport buses in KSRTC bus stand and therefore, KSRTC has requested the government to provide additional space. In its proposal to the government, KSRTC has requested for the 23 cents empty land close to MESCOM in front of the KSRTC bus stand. Presently, the land is owned by Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), and if the 23 cents land is provided to KSRTC, a new bus stand dedicated for city transport will be created.

Under JnNURM scheme 35 buses were supposed to be deployed for service in Mangaluru. Permits have been provided to all the vehicles. Of them, the Regional Transport Authority has not yet finalized on the time table for 14 permits. Also, the private bus owners have filed litigation in the court against the permits provided. The remaining 21 buses applicable under the sanctioned permits have been provided the transport facility under JnNURM in Mangaluru city currently.

2 sophisticated divisions for city transport buses have been established in Mangaluru and Udupi under the JnNURM scheme by KSRTC Mangaluru division. The 2 divisions have been created at the cost of Rs. 5.93 crores and 6.08 crores at Kuntikana and Udupi respectively.

Under the Mangaluru Smart City scheme, the proposal to create a ‘Transport Hub’ on 7.23 acre land at Pumpwell has reached final stage. At this bus stand, space has been identified for stoppage of KSRTC buses. KSRTC will hold discussion with MCC and finalize on the space allocated to it at the ‘Transport Hub’, informed KSRTC sources.

“Mangaluru KSRTC has requested the government for additional space since there is a lack of space for city buses at its bus stand. This will be verified,” informed D.C. Tammanna, Transport Minister.