Mangaluru: The public of Mangaluru favored the argument of the counsel Rajesh Shetty, who appeared for Karnataka Road Transportation Corporation, Mangaluru division for introducing KSRTC services under JNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission) in the city but on altered routes, as against the proposal of the corporation.
In a detailed argument on Monday that went up to 15 minutes before the RTA (Regional Transport Authority), quasi-judicial body presided by District Magistrate (DM), A B Ibrahim, Lawyer pleaded to grant 35 permits for many routes in the city. The routes proposed by the Managing Director of Mangaluru KSRTC division were Mangaluru (Mng)-State Bank (SB)-Katipalla, Mng-SB-Talappady, SB-Ullal, SB-Shakthinagar, and SB-Bajpe. The lawyer Rajesh Shetty pointing Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru schemes in 1960’s by state government of Karnataka in which only KSRTC buses were permitted to ply contended Mangaluru city should be allowed for the bus operation.
The bus operation would be materialized under JNURM scheme and District Magistrate should, he requested, issue a notification in connection with this. However the DM appeared to favor of the applicant, even as lawyers appeared for private bus operators, held counter arguments not to heed to the request made by the KSRTC. The lawyers said there were sufficient numbers of private buses plying in the city and demand of the KSRTC is irrelevant
Public consultation must: DM
Hanumanth Kamath who represented the general public in the discourse claimed the DM should grant permits but bus routes should be changed. He expressed that the current routes proposed by the KSRTC, was filled with private buses and there was no requirement of additional buses. At this juncture, the DM instructed all the stake holders to give their contention and objections in writing before April 4. The DM directed the public to file feedback with the RTA before the same date and hinted that the corporation coordinate with the public.
The DM expressed that the KSRTC should consider public interest while delivering the service and told the corporation through its lawyer to ease some policies in the interest of users. The DM deferred the hearing to April 20 ordering objections, proposals, feedback and argument of corporation should be given in writing to the quasi judicial body before April 4.
