Mangaluru: The student population from the Gundya area, travelling to schools or colleges in local KSRTC buses to Uppinangady and Subrahmanya, endured a distressing ordeal as buses to the area failed to materialise for two consecutive days. Consequently, scores of students resorted to travel using private buses and alternative modes of transport to reach their educational institutions.
KSRTC officials affirmed that the predicament was being rectified on Wednesday. According to locals from Gundya, students largely depend on KSRTC buses to commute to schools and colleges in Uppinangady and Subrahmanya from Gundya. However, there were no buses to the area on Monday and Tuesday, for two days straight. As a result, some managed to reach their campuses using private vehicles and buses. However, others, especially primary school children who could not manage, were forced to remain home on those days.
The KSRTC bus from Subrahmanya reaches Gundya around 7.40 am, and reaches Uppinangady at 9.15 am. Another bus reaches Gundya at 8.15 am and travels to Subrahmanya, and later to Madikeri. These buses are helpful for students and the public. However, without any prior notice, buses were stopped for two days, causing significant inconvenience. There is stoppage by express KSRTC buses passing through this area.
Ammalingaiah B Hosapoojar, divisional controller, KSRTC, Puttur division, informed that it was true that buses to Gundya were not available for two days, as the majority of the staff took leave on account of Deepavali. On the other hand, available staff were deployed to Dharmasthala routes to clear the festive rush. "I have spoken to officials regarding it, and from Wednesday onwards, service is back to normal," he said.