mangalore today
name
name
name
Friday, March 29

Right to good public transport in cold storage in the city.

Right to good public transport in cold storage in the city.


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru :  The aim in every land and city by governments and authorites are going all to promote good  public transport and reduce use of  cars and individual vehicles.  But, Mangaluru is still way behind in time and tempo.

Govt and Administration in the city follow draconian  ’District Magistrate Notifications’  issued in 1991 and 1993 capping the maximum number of city and service buses that can enter the heart of the city even though city’s population has shot up rapidly.  

It is starnge that restrictions on entry of buses that obtained new permits in 1991 and 1993  neither serve  the expectations of general public nor the district administration itself; but at the behest of association of private bus operators themselves.  While the 1991 Notification was issued at the request of Dakshina Kannada Bus Owners Association, that of 1993 was issued at the request of Canara Bus Operators’ Association.

A local Social activist realistically called this an attempts by a handful of private operators to continue their hold on operation of buses on profitable routes while denying opportunity to new entrants.

This activist said that there has been a marked improvement in the infrastructure of Mangaluru in the 1990s and at present. Narrow roads have now been widened up to 14 m with four lanes and have seen concrete instead of bitumen. They can very well take additional number of buses.

On the other hand, the population of Mangaluru has increased by three folds, which is now over 5 lakh.   in spite of these facts, the number of buses that cater to this population has not changed for three decades he ridiculed.

It is undersatndable in such a situation that the number of private cars/vehicles on roads steeply goes up this is visible in Mangaluru,  it is  pointed out. At the same time, those who cannot afford to buy private vehicles — two-wheelers and cars — are forced to travel in jam-packed badly run buses, operated as per the whims and fancies of the  owners, drivers and conductors. 

The authorities concerned unashamedly look the other way  and favour  private contract carriage buses,  about 62  that touch the State Bank area. They were not supposed to cross Jyothi Circle as per permit conditions.  

A senior government secretary recently said that though the District Magistrate could impose restrictions on entry of buses in any part of the city, such restrictions should be within  reason. Restrictions imposed at the behest of private bus operators in selfish interest are highly questionable and objectionable. 


Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print
Error:NULL
Write your Comments on this Article
Your Name
Native Place / Place of Residence
Your E-mail
Your Comment
You have characters left.
Security Validation
Enter the characters in the image above