Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy launched 50 new buses in the Belagavi division of North-West Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) here on Sunday. The new buses are environment-friendly. Besides, they are fitted with CCTV cameras and electronic vehicle stability control systems. They also have an onboard diagnostic system.
The minister also virtually inaugurated the new building of Harugeri bus stand in Raibag taluk, constructed at a cost of INR 4 crore. On the occasion, he distributed silver medals to 38 bus drivers for their good service to the corporation.
The minister said tender has been floated for procuring 15,000 new buses. “Around 5,000 buses will arrive by March or April,” he said.
Ramalinga Reddy also said the process of recruiting 2,000 drivers and conductors is under way. “With the new buses and adequate drivers and conductors, bus travel will get easier,” he said. “Currently, a compensation of INR 50 lakh is being provided to the families of drivers or conductors who die while on duty. A proposal to increase the compensation amount to INR 1 crore has been sent to govt,” he said.
According to the minister, every day, over 5 lakh people travel on state-run buses of which 61% are women. “At present, students in rural areas are facing problems and steps will be taken in the coming days to resolve their issues,” he said.
Women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said the benefits of guarantee schemes have reached majority of the people in the state. Belagavi North MLA Asif Sait presided over the function.
Govt chief whip Ashok Pattan, Kittur MLA Babasaheb Patil, MLC Channaraj Hattiholi, SP Bhimashankar Guled, Belagavi divisional controller Ganesh Rathod were present.
