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
U have been voted to develop ur area. Do that first. We muslims don't have any issues if your women's go to temple or not go to temple. It's ur internal matter. We don't interfere. Pls do not interfere in our matters. U have right to do whatever you want to do. We don't come there. So do good to your are in this 5 years and next time also u will get elected for your good deeds. I feel sorry for those who voted you. God bless India.
Ahlan Wa Sahlan welcome to all faith include prathap simha
If in case any muslim women tried to engter Sabarimala temple it is 100 percent her fault. As entry of women is not allowed in this temple, she should respect the rules and should not put herself in trouble. What is the need to her to enter in a restricted area. In case she believes Sabarimala as God, why is she represents as Muslim. None will stop her from follwoing Ayyappa religion as Islam or muslims will not lose anything if she ruins her present and future. As she has no respect to her own religion how can we expect her to respect other religions. she might be doing it to get publicity or she is bribed to do so.
My dear friend, none will stop entry of women of any religion in masjid, but they should pray separately. Many masjids have prayer room for women as they are not allowed to mix with males while praying. However, for your information, it is preferred to muslim women to pray in home and there is no force on them to go to masjid to pray. This is a facility provided to them and in case any woman wants to pray in masjid it is due to the nfluence and unnecesary advice of any person.
Dear ex bhakat, he is a member of kesari jihad organisation.
Yes All Women are welcome. Irrespective of Faiths.
Yes , all faiths are permitted to enter mosque .
E.g. Sheik Zayed Mosque , Abduhabi.UAE.
Please google it if am wrong.
Because u people are borries
Anyone can entre mosque. But women cannot mingle with men in mosque unlike in temples and churches. There will be separate place for men and women. Unfortunately, in India most of the mosques have no facility for women. But Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) warned men against preventing women’s entry into mosque.
What the hell you are asking sir? Are u promoting love jihad?
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