Bengaluru, May 17: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister Laxman Savadi on Sunday wrote to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari requesting to issue new lockdown guidelines including permission to operate public transport and said the lockdown has caused a financial loss of Rs 16,00 crore to all four Karnataka Transport Undertakings.
In view of these problems, the state Transport Minister requested Gadkari to permit the deployment of Non-AC buses on scheduled routes to ensure the adequacy of services.
The four State Transport Undertakings (STUs) in Karnataka which are providing bus-based public transport services within the state and to the neighbouring states are Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).
"KSRTC, NWKRTC and NEKRTC operate buses for mofussil services i.e. Interdistrict, intradistrict and interstate, whereas BMTC operates only in urban and suburban areas in the city of Bengaluru. The four STUs put together hold a fleet of about 24,900 buses including 1,520 air-conditioned buses and operate about 71.00 lakh km. per day and carries about 98.00 lakh passengers every single day," Savadi outlined in the letter.
The Minister said due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the lockdown that ensued have brought regular bus operations and functioning to a grinding halt.
"This has caused a devastating impact on the operations of all the four STUs due to the combination of lack of revenue and continuing fixed costs such as salaries and pensions to staff, payables against existing loans etc. It has been estimated that the lockdown has caused a financial loss of INR 1,600/- crore to these four STUs," he added.
Savadi said even after post-COVID lockdown, operations and revenues won't reach its previous demand& supply patterns in the next six to eight months due to reduced economic activity and users' perceived risk of contacting COVID in public transport.
In addition to that, "occupancy should be allowed up to seating capacity (without standees). This is essential to meet minimal demand," he said in the letter.
"The crew should wear facemask and hand gloves. The crew with health issues should not be deployed. The face masks should be made mandatory for all the passengers. Only asymptomatic persons should be allowed to travel in public transport. The Government of India may consider staggering working hours for various sectors to reduce peak hour traffic demand," the minister listed out these recommendations in the letter.
Savadi said that with social distancing norm of reduced seating capacity in public transport, it will not be possible to provide transport facility to all the daily passengers. This will create demand for more buses, which cannot be met.
"Restrictions on public transport will lead to passenger commute by overcrowding in smaller vehicles like cars, maxi cabs, goods tempos etc. which will adversely affect preventive measures," he added.
Therefore, Savadi requested Union Minister to look into the above matter and issue fresh guidelines to all the states / UT's.
Comments
All that is on earth will perish, but face of your Lord will abide (forever) full of majesty, bounty and honor - Holy Qur'an 55:26-27
Nobody like rulers, bureaucrat or any citizen is bothered or cares such accident specially in Mangalore.
Human lives have no value specially for 2wheelers.
We are talking many projects in our area.
This is daily disaster. If we wish we can prevent such accidents with some good planning.
Such accidents are not UNPREVENTABLE.
If we want to allow our people to use 2wheelers, first we should plant to prevent and how to escape from these accidents.
Otherwise we all should by law or by force avoid using such vehicles.
At least our leaders in the city like DC, SP, RTO, MP, MLAs, Ministers, all those who use 2wheeler, please wake up and do the doable thing to save our people's lives.
Sad incident....... RIP
RIP... Feeling very sad... :-(
we CONDOLE but anybody thinking about death and do GOOD and stop evil... those who do good & recognise the true CREATOR, and submit to him to find the everlasting heaven.. which is the gift that God gives those who recognize him & follow his & his prophet's command..
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I will surely miss the presence of a truly loveable and kind person.
I am deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family have encountered. My condolences
It’s terrible to hear about, my sincere sympathy to your family.
this bus drivers are very rude on the road, put him behind bar for atleast 20years. he is a real murderer.
You and your family are in our prayers. Sorry to hear of your loss mam.
Our hearts are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you
My deepest condolences for your family's loss.
really sad, she s one of the good lecture in our college, we really gona miss her a alot. love u mam
Heartfelt condolence to the family, nobody can pay the loss to the family.
JESUS SAID :
The father is greater than I - John 14:28
The Lord our God is ONE LORD - Mark 12:29
By myself I can do nothing - John 5:30
I ascend to my Father & Your Father - John 20:17
PAUL SAID :
Jesus is equal to the father
God exists as 3 persons
Jesus is all powerful
Jesus is the only son of God..
Recognize Who speaks WHAT? A thought for the thinking Soul.
Really Tragic ! just before 6 months she joined as a lecture in agnes all her dream went in vain because of this half finished road.
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