Udupi: Sports and youth affairs minister Pramod Madhwaraj laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new city bus stand for KSRTC JNURM buses, which will be completed within a year.

Addressing the gathering, he said, “There was a major opposition for the introduction of KSRTC buses in the city by private bus owner. Private buses will run only on those routes which are profitable for them. But Gopal Poojary and I have tried our best to introduce KSRTC buses here. A well planned bus stand for JNURM busses will be ready for use within a year. Bus stands in Udupi, Manipal and Malpe will also be constructed soon."

The new bus stand will be a three-storey building. At one go, 10 buses can be parked inside the stand. Parking space will be provided on the ground floor for vehicles. The second floor is a bus stand. The third floor will have nine commercial shops. Pure drinking water facility and toilets will also be provided. The building also includes rest rooms for KSRTC staff. The new bus stand will be constructed in a total area of 41 cents.

Currently, 40 buses are plying in Udupi on various routes. More buses are also expected to arrive soon. Permits are allotted for around 60 buses. In Mangaluru, 11 new Volvo buses have been allotted to Mangaluru - Bengaluru and Mangaluru – Pune routes.