Karnataka state government is all set to introduce a new comprehensive area scheme for the entire state of Karnataka, which is nothing but facilitating state-run road transport entities like KSRTC in particular and NEKRTC, NWKRTC and BMTC to achieve a complete monopoly in the coming years.
The move is likely to have far reaching implications in the transport sector. KSRTC has welcomed the move saying that a large section of people would benefit from the scheme. However, private operators term it suicidal. It is said that the state government has already received over 300 written objections against the proposed scheme.
The state government, on January 6, will hear objections and suggestions on the scheme at the transport commissioner’s office at the Shantinagar TTMC. Additional chief secretary TM Vijaya Bhaskar has been appointed as the hearing authority.
KSRTC MD Rajender Kumar Kataria said, “There is no doubt that the general public will benefit from the scheme. We have already given an undertaking that the corporation is ready to operate the required number of buses to meet the demand. In the coming years, we plan to operate 3,700 more buses. In addition to current operations, we expect a good occupancy rate once the scheme comes into effect.”
The officials said once the scheme is introduced, 17 districts will get the benefit of KSRTC’s operations. In some of the districts, KSRTC buses are partially or fully operational. “Unlike private operators, we do not operate for profit; the scheme would allow us to reach more remote areas where private operators refuse to operate.
In addition to these, we give subsidized fares to students, the aged and other needy people. KSRTC has already made a name for itself in the transport sector for inducting advanced buses, technology, and environment compliance.”
BMTC already has monopoly over bus operations in the city limits and has been strongly resisting private operator entry into the city. Though the corporation claims high success in meeting demand, BMTC had failed to induct even a single new bus in the last two years. BMTC is now hoping to induct 1,600 buses in the coming year.
Private operators livid
General secretary of the Karnataka Private Bus Owners Operators Sadananda Chatra said, “The proposed move by the government has come as a shocker for private operators. The new scheme is being introduced just to achieve a monopoly by state-run road transport corporations.
At present, these STUs operate on 71 per cent of the routes and private operators only in 29 per cent of routes. Still they see a threat from private operators. Complete monopoly by the government will do more harm than good. The proposed scheme is nothing but an effort to eliminate private players.
Though they say the current permits will continue to exist, we seriously suspect that the authorities will not renew them once their validity expires.” Chatra said that currently, 2,000 companies are operating over 12,000 buses in the district headquarters, intercity and rural areas. He said the proposed move will impact employment of close to 40,000 people.
Private operators feel that monopoly of STCs will lead to poor service as there will be no competition. “In the north Karnataka regions, some districts have already been declared nationalized where only an STC is operational. But no quality is being offered,” a private operator said.
Commenting on the development, transport commissioner MK Aiyappa said, “STCs have been accusing private operators of deviating routes and flouting permit norms. Private operators have their reasons for opposing the move.
The state government has already come out with a draft policy on the scheme. The hearing authority will submit the report to the state government, after a meeting with stakeholders. We will go by the final order of the state government on the issue.”
