Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 25: Upholding the plea made by the district private bus owners association, the state high court has issued orders staying operation of 55 government buses in the district. The association is arguing that the buses, which include city buses under Jawarhal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) were being run by state owned Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) illegally.

President of the association, Kuilady Suresh Nayak, stated that his association had complained to the high court about illegal operation of JNNURM buses by KSRTC on long routes like Karkala, Kundapur and Bhatkal and several rural places. He said that the high court has issued stay order against the operation of buses for which newly route permits have been issued.

District in-charge minister, Pramod Maharaj, said that government buses were being introduced more and more in the district for serving the people better as many of the routes were to places that did not have bus connectivity so far. He said he is hurt at the stay granted against these buses and promised to hold discussions with transport minister, senior officials and legal experts to find a solution to the problem soon and to ensure that common people do not suffer on account of this development.

The court has stayed operation of 45 JNNURM and ten other buses.