KSRTC restores bus connectivity between Madikeri-Sullia via Sampaje

Mangaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has started plying minibuses on the stretch between Madikeri and Jodupala even as the restoration work on the Sampaje Ghats is ongoing.

The road connectivity in the region had been disrupted owing to the immense rainfall witnessed in the region in the month of August following which the district administration had begun the restoration works on a war footing.

Currently, the corporation is running five mini-buses, only between Madikeri and Jodupala of the ghat stretch at 25 minutes time interval. From Jodupala the commuters have to board the normal buses being operated by KSRTC to reach Sullia.

Responding to a question on why the corporation was not operating the minibuses till Sullia so that passengers are not forced to change buses frequently, Puttur Divisional Controller Nagaraj Shirali stated that such an arrangement would have resulted in reduced number of trips. 

The corporation wants to ferry as many people as possible between the two points and it does not have that number of minibus coaches. Connecting buses would be available at Sullia and Jodupala, he added.

Further, he informed that Madikeri Depot is operating another six minibuses in Kodagu where connectivity has been an issue, including the Makutta stretch.

In view of the above arrangements, those commuting between Mangaluru and Madikeri can take a KSRTC service to Sullia, then another connecting service to Jodupala to board the minibus to Madikeri.