From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 26: Chief minister B S Yediyurappa launched the state-owned Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation’s new venture of parcel and cargo delivery under the banner, 'Namma Cargo,' on Friday.

The service will cater to all southern states and also Maharashtra and Goa, which are connected with KSRTC’s bus service on a regular basis.

Deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi, who is also holding the Transport portfolio, accompanied the chief minister. KSRTC Chairman Chandrappa, ministers Umesh Katti, Dr K Sudhakar and ST Somashekar were also present.

The parcel and cargo service will be run by KSRTC and its sister companies the NWKRTC and NEKRTC in a bid to tide over the revenue loss due to the drop in passengers since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are starting this new service to increase our revenue and also enhance our business model,’’ Savadi said pointing out that the three State Road Transport Corporations have been generating Rs 35 crore revenue by transporting luggage but now with the launch of the new service, they are likely to generate an approximate revenue of Rs 70 to 80 crore.

Namma Cargo will be operated through the Strategic Outsourcing Private Ltd. Company for the next five years in three transport corporations - the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), the North-Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and the North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC).

"Strategic Outsourcing will provide the basic infrastructure and KSRTC along with its sister concerns will be providing the private companies, the space to set up parcel counters at various facilities like bus stations," Savadi said.

Customers will have to book their parcel at the booking counter at the bus stands as they do for their tickets. They will be asked to fill a form giving information about the consignment. There will be an SMS alert system for the dispatcher and the receiver of the parcel, he said.

All three KSRTC, NWKRTC and NEKRTC together operate around 16,000 buses not only covering the length and breadth of Karnataka but also connecting all southern states and also Maharashtra and Goa. Therefore, the trust factor will be our Unique Selling Point (USP), which is ideal for covering the target.

This is not the first time that these transport corporations have ventured into such business, but the earlier attempt in 2008 failed to evoke much response.

Earlier, a delegation led by the state Organic Agriculture Mission chairman, Anand submitted a memorandum to the chief minister in his home office.