Transportation infrastructure in Karnataka received a significant boost on Monday as the Minister for Transport and Mujrai, Ramalinga Reddy, officially inaugurated the newly constructed bus depot (NWKRTC Kittur Depot) in the historic town of Channamma Kittur.
The inauguration ceremony, held on the depot premises, also saw the flagging off of 15 new buses dedicated to the region. Speaking at the event, Minister Reddy emphasized the state government’s commitment to improving the standard of living through public-centric schemes and robust infrastructure.
Key Highlights of the New Facility:
- Investment: The state-of-the-art depot was constructed at an estimated cost of ₹5 crore.
- Upcoming Features: Plans are already underway to establish a petrol bunk within the depot premises to streamline operations.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: The Minister assured that concrete paving work for the depot floor would be initiated shortly to ensure durability.
Minister Reddy noted that during his previous tenure and the current term, the government has focused heavily on expansion, including the recruitment of over 10,000 staff on compassionate grounds and the addition of 1,200 new buses statewide over the last three years. He highlighted that the inauguration follows the recent opening of the central and city bus stands in Belagavi.
Focus on Students and Rural Connectivity
A primary objective of the new depot is to address the long-standing transportation woes of rural residents and students. Minister Reddy issued specific directives to ensure that the 15 new buses prioritize routes that benefit school-going children and villagers.
MLA Babasaheb Patil, who was present at the event, expressed gratitude for fulfilling a long-standing demand of the constituency.
“Kittur is a site of immense historical significance. By strengthening the transport network, we are not only supporting local commuters and students but also giving a necessary push to regional tourism,” Patil stated.
The MLA also submitted a formal request to the Transport Minister for additional grants to complete pending civil works at the Kittur bus station and for the provision of mini-buses to improve local transit within the town.
Dignitaries in Attendance
The event was attended by several high-ranking officials and local leaders, including:
Sunil Hanumannavar, Vice President of NWKRTC. Vinay Navalagatti, District President of the Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority. Priyanga M., Managing Director of NWKRTC. R.B. Basaragi, Additional Superintendent of Police.
The ceremony concluded with the presence of divisional controllers, depot managers, and a large gathering of the general public and department staff.
