Mysuru: Ahead of Dasara, the public transport has got a push with the State Government allocating 20 new buses to the fleet of KSRTC City Division.

The City Bus Division had a vast fleet of buses, with 130 buses among them classified as condemned and sent to scrap previous year. To fill the gap, the additional buses of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, had been transferred here. However, some among the buses developed technical faults and started emitting thick smoke, thus damaging the environment.

In this wake, under first phase, 12 red buses with single door were procured, followed by eight sky blue colour buses with double door facility. By month end, 20 more buses are expected to join the fleet, with KSRTC authorities giving consent to run new buses on routes where the demand is high.

Majority of the buses being operated on City Bus routes are more than 10-year-old, with some among them developing snags in the middle of the road. Over 100 buses, are still being operated, albeit with some repairs. During Dasara, the traffic density will swell and the old buses may cause traffic jam, in the event of any faulty condition. Hence it would be appropriate to add a few more new buses to City Bus routes, demand the general public.

KSRTC Urban Divisional Controller Jagadish Kumar said, the buses that have completed 15-year operation, are being sent to scrap, in compliance with a Government order. By this month end, 35 more buses will be moved to scrap. While 20 buses have been provided by the Government, remaining buses are expected to be received by this month end.