Udupi: Ashok Inaugurates KSRTC Depot, New Bus Stand to be Named After V S Acharya

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM)

Udupi, Nov 23: Deputy chief minister R Ashok, who is also the minister for home and transport, on Friday November 23 inaugurated the new bus depot of KSRTC Udupi unit under Mangalore division.

He also launched four KSRTC buses to Mysore and inaugurated the new regional transport office (RTO) at Rajatadri

Speaking to reporters, Ashok said that every district needs to have a KSRTC depot. "Depot for KSRTC buses in every district is a must. More number of KSRTC buses will provide upto 78 percent of concession to students. Also, in case of any untoward incident, they will get compensation of Rs 2 lac. These provisions are not available in private bus services," he said.

On beefing up coastal security he said, "The state government is aware of the problems faced by the coastal belt. Soon the government will work on implementing tight security guard system. We should not forget Ajmal Kasab incident where Mumbai coastal security and intelligence failed. We will not allow such breach of security. It is not only about the district but  about the country," he said.

On Sowjanya murder case that rocked Dharmasthala last month, the minister said COD inquiry has already been ordered and the investigation is expected to be complete in two months. He assured that the culprit would be punished at the earliest.

He declined to comment on former CM Yeddyurappa's new party, but added, "On December 9, KJP committee meeting will be held at Haveri, and on that day you can report the news."

During the stage programme organized at the RTO office, Ashok said the old RTO building had been taken on a rent of Rs 40,000. The new RTO has been built on 1.41 acres of land, at a cost of Rs 6.42 crore. "The new RTO will be the best in the state, with advanced technology and smart card system installed. It will be a technically advanced RTO," he said.

"The district already has 2,32,000 registered vehicles. Too many vehicle are not good for the society and for the environment. It is always better to use metro, bus, trains and other transport systems," he said.

Udupi Bus Stand Named After Dr V S Acharya to Get Rs 10 crore

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Ashok announced that a new KSRTC bus stand will be constructed at Bannaje in Udupi shortly and disclosed that a sum of Rs 10 crore would be released for the bus stand.

The deputy chief minister said the new bus stand would be named after senior BJP leader from coastal Karnataka and former Home Minister Dr V S Acharya.

Ashok said the KSRTC has emerged as the number one state transport undertaking in the country with over 23,000 buses operating throughout the State with services to all the neighbouring states.

Udupi MLA K Raghupathy Bhat, who presided over the function, urged that all the files must be transferred to Manipal office from Udupi to ensure that the local people were not put to undue hardships.

State ports and muzrai minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, who is also the Udupi district in charge, MLAs Lalji R Mendon (Kaup) and K Lakshminarayana (Baindoor) and transport and road safety commissioner K R Srinivas, Udupi deputy commssioner Dr M T Reju and superintendent of police Abhishek Goyal participated in the function.

Udupi district RTO H N Ramesh welcomed.