BRTS finally rolls into Dharwad city

HUBBALLI: Amidst various pending works, the BRTS ‘Chigari’ bus entered the pedha city of Dharwad on a trial basis on Wednesday. Legislative council protem chairman Basavaraj Horatti flagged off the bus at Hosur BRTS junction and travelled along with MP Pralhad Joshi and BRTS officials.
Though officials had said the trial run will be extended till Gandhinagar, BRTS managing director Rajendra Cholan insisted that the crew continue till Dharwad Mitra Samaj.

Cholan said that that all contractors have been instructed to complete all pending works by October 29. “We are mulling to impose a penalty on contractors who fail to meet the deadline. The launch of the trial run has expedited progress in the works. Otherwise it would have moved at a snail’s pace. Meanwhile we are getting the required cooperation from Hescom, HDMC, KRDCL and other departments,” he added.

“Currently, 10 buses are deployed to run from BSNL, Hubballi, to Dharwad. Now, we have fixed the fare on par with NWKRTC buses. We are taking measures to control dust on the mixed lanes,” he added.

President to be invited?

Cholan said the government was mulling inviting President Ram Nath Kovind to inaugurate the BRTS service. “So the date of the official inauguration will be fixed only after getting a response from the President’s office,” he said.