Udupi:  Pramod Madhwaraj District in-charge Minister flagged off twelve low – floor new buses purchased with financial support from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) at Mahatma Gandhi Open Theatre ground, Beedinagudde here on Wednesday, 7th September, 2016.

The programme began with State Anthem by Ganesh Gangolli and team. Vivekananda Hegde, Regional Control Officer KSRTC Mangaluru Division welcomed the gathered. Pramod Madhwaraj inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Pramod Madhwaraj said that according to the declaration of the election manifesto he promised that 24 hours non-stop of electricity and secondly better transport system in the district in particular. Both the promises he made during the election were fulfilled. Under the guidance from Oscar Fernandes and the instructions of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, we have to launch JNNURM buses in the city through public demand and meanwhile the same buses in Bangaluru which were launched by the chief minister today itself. In the past, four chief ministers had rejected the proposal. He didn’t obey the lobby from private buses.

He said if he needed, will bring additional buses based on public demand. We need to give priority to the students in particular and the public as well.

JNNURM buses will operate 120 trips per day in the district. 18 buses will start service from 8th September, 2016. He said that JNNURM bus stand allotted 41 cents land at old DDPI office, situated in between City bus stand and Service Bus stand Udupi. Meanwhile 2.5 acres of land transferred for the construction of KSRTC bus stand at Bannanje at the cost of Rs. 5 crores. Siddharamaiha has fulfilled the demand of the public by approving the project.

Pramod Madhwaraj said that concession bus passes will be given to students, handicapped, 25% discount for senior citizens and for daily passengers’ monthly pass will be provided.

Students bus pass rate will be as follows :

Upto seventh class students’ free transport will be given for 10 months. For High school female students Rs. 400 for 10 months and for males Rs. 600 for ten months. Rs. 900 for College and Diploma students for 10 months. For ITI students Rs 1150 for twelve months. Career courses like medical, engineering and other students Rs. 1400 for 10 months and for evening college/Phd. Students Rs. 1200 for 10 months.

During the occasion, Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje ,President of CMC Udupi, R. B. Nayak Deputy Director of the Pre-University Education Department, Janardhan Thonse member of Zilla Panchayat, Educational institutions Principals and Heads of schools and others were present.

Features of the new buses will be well equipped with 30 seats. The doors are electro pneumatic and buses will not move unless the doors are locked properly to prevent accidents. CCTV cameras fixed at the roof top of the bus.

There is an intelligent transport system and fixed rear view camera for safe driving. There are announcement systems with LED display, stop buzzer and panic buttons in the buses. There is first aid box and emergency door to exit during the emergency.

Ramps will be provided for physically challenged persons. There is an intelligent transport system. There will be free pass for blinds, freedom fighters and their wives, journalists, Gallantry awardees, national and Arjun awardees, endosulfan victims and recognized writers. Annual passes will be provided for daily passengers.