Dakshina Kannada awaits govt nod to start KSRTC services to Kasaragod

Mangaluru: On the one hand, the district administration in Kasaragod is all set to operate inter-state buses to Dakshina Kannada, while the coastal district in Karnataka is awaiting the state government’s nod to recommence operations between Mangaluru and Kasaragod. Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Rajendra KV told TOI that the district administration would write to the state government seeking approval to run Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses to Kasaragod via Talapady.
“It is a decision that needs to be taken by the state government. But we will send a report seeking approval to start KSRTC services between Mangaluru and Kasaragod,” the DC said.
KSRTC Mangaluru division operated as many as 40 buses to Kasaragod on a daily basis prior to the Covid-19 crisis, and as many buses travelled to the coastal city from the neighbouring district.
Sources in the Kasaragod district administration said that a decision had been made to run KSRTC buses on the Mangaluru route via Talapady from September 21. A decision to the effect had been taken at the Covid-19 core committee meeting. However, the district administration there is keen on restricting the number of passengers on each bus to 40.
A large number of people in Kasaragod visit Mangaluru for medical treatment, and many residents visit the coastal city for work each day. Consequently, a very large section of the populace in Kasaragod is eagerly awaiting the recommencement of operations of the KSRTC buses, which were suspended following the enforcement of the lockdown in March. At the moment, there is no restriction on the movement of private vehicles between Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod districts.