The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai, announced that the state government will take all necessary steps to make the State Transport Corporation profitable and bring reforms to give it a stiff competition with private transport operators.
He made this announcement while inaugurating the newly built Belagavi Central Bus Stand on Tuesday which has cost Rs. 30 crore.
A committee, chaired by senior retired IAS officer Srinivasamurthy, was constituted to bring reforms to the KSRTC and the responsibility of implementing the report has been given to him. The CM stated that the transport service will be improved and unnecessary expenditure will be curbed. He also mentioned that the changes will be seen in various corporations of KSRTC, including BMTC, in the near future.
Furthermore, the discussion to make announcements for school-going children in the upcoming state budget will be held. Additionally, since the North West Karnataka Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) is celebrating its silver jubilee, a discussion will be held to permit it to buy 500 new buses and recruit 500 new staff in the upcoming budget.
The CM also mentioned that the KSRTC has been providing a good service to the people, but it suffered huge losses during the Covid-19 pandemic. To help the Corporation, the State government has provided financial assistance of Rs 2,000 crore in two years and has given permission to various corporations of KSRTC to buy new buses and borrow loans. He also highlighted the importance of the Belagavi Bus Stand, which provides connectivity to various places, and mentioned that it has been renovated for Rs 30 crore.