New role in sight for Tumakuru’s idle bus stand

Tumakuru: An old bus stand near Balanakatte could get a fresh lease of life as a dedicated electric bus depot, with Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) proposing to introduce 50 e-buses in the district under the Union government’s PM e-Bus Sewa scheme.The move comes amid mounting complaints over inadequate city bus services and overcrowding, particularly affecting students and daily commuters.Plans are underway to develop parking and charging infrastructure at the old bus stand, which has remained largely idle for the past two years. Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) has invited tenders to install a new 11-kV feeder to power an electric vehicle charging station on the premises.Tenders invited for procuring 900 KSRTC buses: Ramalinga ReddyThe tender notification specifies the need to provide a power supply of up to 3,000 kVA to the KSRTC depot under the proposed scheme. The initiative is intended to reduce urban air pollution and promote cleaner public transport. The 50 buses, if sanctioned and deployed, will be dedicated to city operation.The Balanakatte bus stand was used temporarily while the new bus stand was being constructed under the Smart City project. Since then, the premises have fallen into disuse. Several old, non-functional buses remain parked there, while commercial establishments have shut down and public activity has dwindled.The proposed depot could revive the area by bringing back commercial activity and economic transactions. Housing city buses at a dedicated facility could also ease congestion at the existing bus stand.Tenders invited for procuring 900 KSRTC buses: Ramalinga ReddyThe proposed addition comes against the backdrop of a growing mismatch between Tumakuru’s expanding population and its city bus fleet. Only 60 buses currently operate within the City, leaving students and other commuters struggling to reach their destinations.Passengers, particularly school and college students, often wait for hours for buses during morning and evening peak hours. The stretch near the university is among the places where commuters face long waits, while overcrowding forces some passengers to travel hanging on to bus doors.Despite years of demands for an increase in the city fleet, commuters said the shortage remains unresolved.Across Tumakuru district, KSRTC operates 711 buses covering 2,443 villages. The corporation added 41 buses in 2023-24 and another 51 in 2024-25. The district also has 92 Ashwamedha buses.The proposed 50 electric buses will be a significant addition to the City’s fleet, provided the Centre approves the proposal and the vehicles are deployed as planned.Vacant floorsThe proposed depot also draws attention to the underutilisation of existing public transport infrastructure. Two floors of Devaraj Urs KSRTC bus stand, built at a cost of Rs 135 crore, remain vacant.Only the ground floor, lower ground floor and upper ground floor are in use, while the first and second floors lie unused. The first floor is littered with liquor bottles, plastic waste and discarded clothes, and has become a hub for anti-social activities.BMTC launches new AC bus service from Bengaluru to TumakuruThe condition has raised questions about the maintenance and utilisation of a public facility built at considerable cost. Basavaraju, KSRTC Divisional ControllerTenders had been invited for the EV charging station and a proposal has been submitted to the Union government for 50 electric buses. All buses operating within the City will be stationed at one place which will be convenient for the public.Plastic and liquor bottles littered on the second floor of Devaraj Urs KSRTC Bus Stand in Tumakuru. dh photos

Source: Deccan Herald