By Shyam Sundar Vattam

Mysore/Mysuru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is waiting for an official communication either from the District Administration or from the Dasara Executive Committee regarding operating special buses during Dasara which will kickstart on Oct.17.

The State Government is awaiting reply from the Union Government to its special plea to allow 2,000 persons inside the Palace premises to witness the Jumboo Savari procession on Oct. 26 and also 1,500 persons inside the Palace to witness cultural programmes for all nine days.

Without permission from the Government of India, the Karnataka Government did not want to go ahead with its usual preparations. Besides, Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa has made it mandatory to celebrate this year’s Dasara in a simple manner due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Shivayogi Kalasad, Managing Director, KSRTC, told Star of Mysore that so far, they have not received any official communication from the Mysuru District Administration or from the Dasara Committee seeking operation of ‘Dasara Special’ buses from all over the State. Every year, the KSRTC operates around 500 ‘Dasara Special’ buses between Bengaluru and Mysuru and equal number of buses from other districts.

In fact, the State Transport Corporation was earning major revenue from running special buses during 10-day Dasara festival in Mysuru. However, Coronavirus has eclipsed transport sector so much that the people are not ready to travel in public transport despite strictly following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

After relaxation of rules, the MD said the occupancy was around 50 per cent on an average on all days. This was much better when compared to the scenario just after lifting of lockdown with 8-10 passengers in each bus. Now, as against the total 54 seats, the occupancy was around 25 which was a matter of satisfaction. 

The Corporation was also running the air-conditioned buses with all precautions such as fixing the air condition level less than 24, complete sanitisation of vehicle after each trip, thermal screening of each patient and proper ventilation. The number of passengers travelling in these A/C buses is very less when compared to pre-COVID times.

Ready with buses

Dr. Kalasad said the Corporation will require just 78 hours of time to run ‘Dasara Special’ buses soon after the receipt of request from the District Administration or Dasara Committee. The drivers and conductors are ready to work overtime to fetch more revenue for KSRTC in the wake of huge loss suffered due to suspension of bus services for over three months during the general lockdown.

 The occupancy rate has not seen any major jump due to spike in Corona positive cases in many districts. So, the movement of people from one district to another has reduced a lot as they prefer private vehicles than the public transport. This has naturally delivered a deadly blow to the State Transport Corporation, he said. 

“I don’t know how many people are ready to go to Mysuru to see Dasara festival amid the pandemic and with COVID test mandatory for tourists too. KSRTC wants people to come and enjoy Dasara by following guidelines,” he observed.

It may be mentioned here that KSRTC had operated 2,500 special buses during Dasara celebrations in 2018 and 2019.