Belthangady: With the aim to make it convenient for devotees visiting Dharmasthala, KSRTC has added approved the addition of 6 additional sleeper coaches to its Dharmasthala unit. These new coaches are expected to begin functioning during the Dasara season.
Altogether 12 such coaches with modern facilities have been sanctioned for KSRTC of which, 6 have been provided to Dharmasthala unit by which it has extended its service.
72 buses function daily
For now, daily 72 buses function via Dharmasthala-Hassan route at a gap of every 15 minutes from 4:30 am in the morning to 11 pm in the night. The daily functioning buses include 4 non-sleeper, 5 Rajahamsa, 1 Airavat Club Class and 64 Suvarna Sarige buses. During the weekends, holidays and during Shivaratri, Laksha Deepotsava and other special festivals, additional buses are deployed. Along with this, if additional buses are provided, then it will become more convenient for the passengers, informed Shivaram Naik, Dharmasthala Depot Manager.
Dharmasthala, Mangaluru and Kundapur Depots were established in 1984-85 and are 35-year-old. Since the business at Dharamsthala depot has increased, an e-tender for renovation at the cost of Rs 1.50 crore has been called for. Along with a petrol bunk, electricity connection, the bus garage space is going to be extended and the aim is to provide a modern touch to the depot, informed the technical officer.
Employees’ accommodation at the cost of Rs 1.39 crore
A new employees accommodation with 12 rooms is being constructed for the employees of KSRTC Dharmasthala unit at the cost of Rs 1.35 crore and is being constructed in front of the depot. The work began in January and will be available for use soon. Rs 81 lakh has also been sanctioned for the renovation of the old 32 room employees’ residence and will include water connection, road, drainage, electricity connection and other necessary facilities.
Complimenting the demand from the passengers from within the state as well as out station 6 new sleeper coaches have been sanctioned for Dharmasthala unit. They are expected to start functioning before Dasara-
Nagendra, KSRTC, Puttur Divisional Manager.
Highest amount of buses are functioning from Dharmasthala unit, there is a need for an improved technology at the depot. The new employees accommodation is under construction. Tender has been called for, for the renovation of the depot and the old accommodation –
Sharat Kumar N, Divisional Engineer
