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Taxi operators make hay as buses fail to ply from Railway station

The official proposes and the politicians and transport lobby disposes. That appears to be the case with a proposal to start bus service from Byndoor Railway Station to Kollur to prevent exploitation by local taxi operators.

The Udupi District Administration had finalised the proposal to start KSRTC service bus service from Byndoor Railway Station to Kollur to prevent the exploitation of devotees by local taxi operators. But, it is learnt, the proposal may end up in cold storage thanks to the vested interests and some leaders of the taxi operators. 

 During the Navaratri festival, a large number of devotees, especially from other states, visit the Kollur Mookambika Temple. As there was a heavy rush during the period last year,  the district administration decided to operate the bus service.

But stones were pelted at KSRTC buses, forcing the authorities to stop the service. This year, the district administration ignored the pressure from different quarters and decided to start the bus service. It has just ended up as an announcement as the bus service has not started even as Navarathri is ending on October 24.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Udupi Deputy Commissioner Dr M T Reju, who is also the Road Transport Authority Chairman, said that, the district administration has directed the KSRTC to start the service. “This problem has been cropping up despite our best efforts,” the DC said.

Highly placed sources told Deccan Herald that Byndoor MLA K Laxminarayana is putting pressure on the top authorities not to start the services. “For politicians, taxi operators are important than the devotees, because of many ‘benefits’. That’s why they are letting the taxi operators to exploit the devotees,’ said the sources.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Laxminarayana admitted that he is totally against the introducing KSRTC buses to Kollur temple from Byndoor railway station. “Why should I go against the wishes of local taxi-auto drivers. They earn some little extra only during the Navaratri festival.”

He added that he is not against operating buses all round the year but wanted the services stopped for two days during Navarathri festival.

    He claimed that the bureaucrats are from outside and work for a couple of years. They do not understand the sufferings of the poor people. “I spoke to  Dr M T Reju and urged him to not to implement the decision of plying buses from Kollur railway station to the temple. I am totally against this idea,” he said.

He said that he has no problem with operating services from bus stand to Kollur. Today, however KSRTC operated two services from the Byndoor bus stand to Kollur, according to sources.