Fort city residents seek revival of KSRTC city bus services

Chitradurga: The fort city is expanding in all four directions, with new residential layouts coming up across its outskirts. However, residents complain that the city bus service provided by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) remains inadequate, forcing many to rely on private vehicles, including two wheelers and four-wheelers. The growing dependence on private transport has contributed to traffic congestion in several parts of the city.IPS officer appointed in KPSC ‘scam’ SIT transferred to ChitradurgaKSRTC officials said that the narrow roads in many areas were preventing them from operating more buses on interior roads. Residents, however, argue that buses can be operated on at least four major roads in the city and the excuses given by KSRTC are lame. They have urged the KSRTC to restore and expand city bus services within the city limits.Speaking to DH, KSRTC Divisional Controller Venkatesh said: “Currently, buses are being operated between the bus terminal and Aadumalleshwara Zoo via the IUDP Layout during the morning and evening hours. In total, four trips are being operated daily. The KSRTC may operate buses to other parts of the city in the future. However, buses cannot ply on interior roads as they are narrow. Hence, city bus services are not available in all areas,” he said.34% of KSRTC buses are of ‘highly polluting’ BS III standardSarvodaya Party vice-president J Yadava Reddy said buses could easily operate on Holalkere Road, JCR Extension Road, Turuvanur Road, and Medehalli Road. Several new residential layouts are coming up along these roads in the city. The estimated population of the city is more than 2.5 lakh. People travel in shared autorickshaws between Challakere Gate and the city and pay a fare up to Rs 20.He also noted that the KSRTC had operated city bus service in the past but discontinued them, citing ongoing road works. The Corporation had then assured residents that services would resume after the completion of the works. However, with bus services remaining infrequent, people have become less inclined to depend on public transport, he said.Practical challengesBharat M Kalasunge, a retired regional transport officer from Chitradurga, told DH that there are practical challenges in operating city bus service. Many residents prefer to travel by autorickshaws because they can travel directly to their destinations without waiting for buses at designated stops.“Autorickshaws provide services across the city. If new buses are deployed, they may not get enough passengers, which could result in losses for the bus operator,” he said. Kalasunge also pointed out that a large number of residents use private vehicles. If more people shift to public transport, the KSRTC could consider increasing the number of buses, he said.People belonging to low-income groups, daily commuters, women, and senior citizen are among those who depend on public transport. However, Chitradurga lacks major industries that generate large-scale commuting demand among the working population, he added.Manjunath, who runs a hair salon in the city, said residents are planning to submit a memorandum to the district administration urging the authorities to restore and expand city bus services.Quote – Currently buses are being operated between the bus terminal and Aadumalleshwara Zoo via the IUDP Layout during the morning and evening hours. In total four trips are being operated daily. The department may operate buses to other parts of the city in the future. However buses cannot ply on interior roads as they are narrow. Hence city bus services are not available in all areas.VenkateshKSRTC Divisional Controller

Source: Deccan Herald