Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Dec 3: The visit of state transport minister Ramalinga Reddy to Udupi on Wednesday December 3 was marred by protests and confrontation between CMC commissioner Srikanth Rao and the locals over the condition of KSRTC bus stand.

Reddy is in Udupi to inspect and review the works under his ministry. When he made a brief visit to the KSRTC bus stand along with MLA Pramod Madhwaraj, the locals gathered to voice their complaints about the bus stand.

The locals complained to MLA Madhwaraj that lots of people, especially those from outside the state, drink and sleep all over the place, causing much inconvenience and leaving the place dirty. There was no adequate seating arrangement and not enough facilities, and moreover, even prostitutes are often found at the bus stand, they said.

They further said that though appeals had been submitted to the DC, and the DC had instructed the CMC commissioner to take action, nothing had been done to clean up the bus stand.

The MLA promised to bring the matter to the attention of minister Reddy and left the spot with him. Reddy himself did not respond to the locals.

As soon as the minister and the MLA left, CMC commissioner Srikanth Rao took the locals to task for complaining to the MLA about the bus stand. He said that though the bus stand land comes under CMC, its maintenance was not CMC's responsibility, but of the PWD and RTO departments.

The locals grew angry at this reaction from the commissioner and protested. They claimed that the bus stand had been cleaned only for the visit of the transport minister, but on all other days it remained unclean. "If you cannot take responsibility, at least you can take some action by issuing directions to the authorities concerned," they told him, adding, "We have been living here for 15-20 years and we have the right to protest against such issues."

The protestors also urged deployment of security at the bus stand, saying that just as security guard was appointed for the service bus stand, there should be one for KSRTC bus stand too.

When the commissioner tried to get out from the spot, the protestors told him, "Give a report on our complaints to the minister, instead of being angry at us for complaining."

Let BJP reduce fuel prices in their states first: Reddy

Speaking to media persons, Ramalinga Reddy replied to a query on the prices of fuel in the state and said, "The price of crude oil in the market keeps fluctuating, and it depends on the prices in the global markets. My suggestion to state chief Prahlad Joshi is - BJP is in power in 10 states, so let them cut the fuel prices there first, then I will think about reducing the prices in our state."

When asked to comment on the two bus fire incidents in two days (at Puttur and Bengaluru), he said, "We have taken measures to control the accidents but these two incidents occurred due technical issues. The transport department has come up with 12 guidelines for controlling disasters."

He also informed that under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) plan, he allotted 545 buses for the state and Rs 6 crore for each district including Udupi.

The depot for KSRTC buses will be constructed at old DDPI office and truck bay will be built between Kallianpur and Uppoor area, he added.

"Nearly 2.94 acres of PWD site has been earmarked for the construction of bus stand near Bannanje," he said.

Asked about profits made by the transport department, Reddy declined to comment and said, "Profit and loss are common in any field. My focus is on providing good service."