Karnataka: Land for fully-equipped bus terminal in Chamarajanagar allotted

MYSURU: Years after Chamarajanagar was carved out as a separate district, the Karnataka government has finally allotted land – two-and-a-half acres, to be precise – for the construction of a fully-equipped Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus terminal. For years, the residents have complained of the inadequacy of the existing bus stand on the congested Deviation Road. Given that Chamarajanagar town is the district headquarters, the bus terminal was deemed too small, considering the number of passengers using the facility every day. Heeding the public’s demand, the government has allotted land on Santhemarahalli Road at the Old Cocoon Market for the new terminal.
The Chamarajanagar division controller of the KSRTC had submitted a proposal to the state government two years ago, citing the need for the construction of a new terminal, and requesting allotment of land for the same. The property now allotted for the terminal belongs to the sericulture department, officials of which were initially reluctant to part with land, have finally agreed to transfer the plot to the KSRTC.
Chamarajanagar division controller for KSRTC, Srinivas told TOI, “I have written to the district administration seeking clearance for transfer of land to the KSRTC once the state government had allotted the property for the bus terminal. Once the process is complete, KSRTC will submit a detailed proposal, wherein we will provide information on the estimation for the project. Once the government approves the plan, the hi-tech bus terminal will become a reality. The proposed site for the bus terminal is very close to the Government Law College.”
Srinivas has also appealed to the administration in Hanur and Yelandur taluks to allot three acres each for the construction of KSRTC depots in both the taluk headquarters. “We are planning to construct one such depot in all the taluk headquarters. This will help boost KSRTC’s revenue, in addition to ensuring there are sufficient buses in the district for long-distance journeys,” he added.
The lack of a depot in Yelandur and Hanur had resulted in the KSRTC being unable to run as many buses as it would have ideally liked to these two taluks. The construction of depots, coupled with development of housing for its staff, will enable KSRTC to run 60 to 80 buses every day to the two taluks. “If there is no land available in Yelandur, the government can allot a plot in Santhemarahalli. As of now, there are bus depots in Chamarajanagar, Kollegal and Gundlupet taluks,” Srinivas said.
Chamarajanar-based activist C Srinivas called on the government to approve the proposal for the construction of the advanced bus terminal without any delay. “It is sad that 25 years since the district came into being, Chamarajanagar is yet to get an advanced bus terminal,” he said.