Rs. 100 crore project at 14-acre land behind KSRTC depot for long-distance routes

Mysuru:  In a move to ease congestion and improve connectivity for rural and long-distance travellers, Mysuru city is set to get a new Karnataka State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Rural Bus Stand with an estimated budget of Rs. 100 crore.

The proposed Bus Stand, to be located behind the KSRTC depot at Bannimantap, is anticipated to significantly enhance passenger services and relieve pressure on the city’s current Sub-Urban Bus Stand. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this project has already been prepared and submitted to the State Government for budgetary approval.

The existing Sub-Urban Bus Stand on the Bengaluru-Nilgiri Road manages over 3,000 inter-State and intra-State services daily, often leading to unmanageable vehicle density.

Two-phase project

KSRTC Rural Divisional Controller Srinivas told Star of Mysore that the new Rural Bus Stand will be built on 14 acres of the 61-acre KSRTC property in Bannimantap behind the depot to meet rising demand. The project is designed in two phases to ensure efficient resource  allocation and timely service delivery. The new bus stand will feature a dedicated entry, preventing any conflict with buses arriving at the depot, he added.

“Phase 1 has a budget of Rs. 65 crore to construct a ground floor, basement and ample parking facilities for buses and passengers, maximising space for both local and long-distance travellers. In Phase 2, an additional Rs. 35 crore will establish a commercial terminal, further expanding service capacity,” he explained.

“We are planning to construct a facility to park 100 buses at a time and keep space for the passage of 30 buses and even electric charging stations. Designated parking spaces will also be provided for four-wheelers and two-wheelers,” he said.

Project DPR, funding

Recently, the KSRTC Managing Director V. Anbukumar and other officials from the headquarters in Bengaluru inspected the proposed site, and with the DPR submitted, further approvals are in progress.

“A proposal has also been submitted to the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), which has previously funded bus stations in Tumakuru and Davangere, boosting the likelihood of successful funding for Mysuru’s new facility,”  Srinivas added.

Long-distance buses

Even after the new Rural Bus Stand is operational, the existing Sub-Urban Bus Stand will remain active, catering to Mysuru and nearby districts.

“The new facility will primarily focus on long-distance routes like Tumakuru, Hubballi and North Karnataka regions, expected to reduce traffic congestion by around 50 percent. With the addition of the new Rural Bus Stand, city buses can conveniently access it for smooth passenger pick-up and drop-off, enhancing commuter convenience and cutting down transit times,” he said.

Urban  Growth

As Mysuru city continues to expand, infrastructure upgrades are essential to support its urban growth.

Constructing the new Rural Bus Stand on the underutilised KSRTC depot land at Bannimantap aligns well with the city’s development goals and addresses evolving passenger needs, it is said.