Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SHP)
Udupi, May 13: Deputy commissioner (DC) G Jagadeesha said on Tuesday May 12 that the KSRTC buses and some other private buses would be resuming their operations from May 13.
"Based on the request by people, buses will resume their operations from May 13. KSRTC and other private buses will start operations with 50 per cent capacity. Any operators seen overloading his vehicle will be penalised. The passengers opting to use these forms of transportation are requested to maintain social distancing and directed to wear masks without fail. If anyone does not comply with these rules, serious actions will be taken against them," he said.
Buses in the coastal district have been inactive since nationwide lockdown was announced. The decision came into force after the central government gave relaxation to the movement of buses in green zones.
Buses will operate between 7 am to 7 pm. However, it is instructed that all the buses must be sanitized before and after the journey. Driver, conductors and other crew members of the bus should compulsorily wear masks and gloves. Sanitizers must also be arranged in the buses.
Currently, along with KSRTC, a private bus operator Bharathi Motors, has agreed to resume bus services from Wednesday, May 13.
Speaking to daijiworld.com, Raghavendra Bhat, proprietor, Bharathi Motors said, "From tomorrow onwards I am going to start operating my buses. Tomorrow, six buses will start operating between Udupi and Kundapur every 15 minutes. We will start operating from Udupi to Karkala, Kollur and Belman routes soon. I request all the passengers to co-operate and not ask for any concessions in fare.”
KSRTC will operate from Udupi to Kundapur, Hebri, Karkala, Kaup, Byndoor, Manipal, Barkur, Siddapuru, Alevoor, Malpe, Hoode, and Brahmavar, an official source said.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Kuilady Suresh Naik, president, Udupi City Bus Owners Association said, "It will be a good move to let buses resume services," he said.
People entering the district illegally will be put under quarantine - DC
"Anyone who has entered district skipping checkposts will be identified and put under quarantine," asserted DC G Jagadeesha.
He reported that many people had entered Udupi by skipping district border checkposts. This was resulting in an added task for the district administration to track these people and place them in quarantine.
Committees on gram panchayat level and commissioners of municipal corporations have assigned with this task.
"Public can also give information to local authorities about the same. Such people once found will have to undergo a mandatory health check-up and then would be subjected to quarantine. The public have been ordered to report sightings of such people to local authority immediately if they find them in their locality," he added.