TimesView While Hassan has clinched the top spot on the bus connectivity front, it’s a pity that villagers from Shivamogga and Tumakuru have to walk the extra mile or endure backbreaking rides in the absence of KSRTC services. Operating buses in these regions is not feasible until motorable roads become a reality, though private players are doing so by throwing caution to the wind and in turn, risking passengers’ lives. The government should take concrete steps to fix village roads instead of waiting for accidents to jolt it into action. Other districts can take a leaf out of Hassan’s book to offer villagers — from daily-wagers to schoolchildren — a smooth and affordable commute. BENGALURU: When it comes to rural bus accessibility in the state, Hassan district tops the list: Barring one, all 2,452 villages in the district have bus connectivity This is in contrast with other districts where the number of villages lacking bus services ranges from 29 to 1,131. Statistics from Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, which operates in 17 districts in southern, central and coastal Karnataka, reveal that a whopping 4,699 villages in the districts served by KSRTC have poor bus connectivity.Hassan’s success can be attributed to the robust road network built over the years. The district is politically dominated by former prime minister HD Deve Gowda’s son and minister HD Revanna, who has been public works minister twice. The lone village in Hassan district that’s devoid of bus services is Athiganahalli near Sakleshpur, a hilly forest tract.A KSRTC official said: “Bus services in Karnataka fall in two categories — nationalised routes operated exclusively by state transport corporations such KSRTC and non-nationalised routes where private buses are allowed to ply. Apart from Bengaluru Urban, Hassan tops the list in both the categories. In fact, 61 villages in Bengaluru Rural district remain unconnected by KSRTC.” Shivamogga district has the worst bus connectivity with 1,131 villages still not having KSRTC services. It’s followed by Tumakuru (971), Chitradurga (566), Davanagere (538) and Chikkamagaluru (453). Villagers in these districts are often forced to walk several kilometres or travel in unsafe and rickety private buses.According to the 2011 census, there are 20,792 villages in the 17 districts. Of them, KSRTC has a monopoly (nationalised routes) in 7,326 villages, where it operates buses in 7,319. The remaining seven villages, Halkodu, Gudumanahalli, Kadasooru, Kandegowdanapura, Kadanahalli, Doddaharave Aranya, all six villages in Mysuru district and Athiganahalli in Hassan, don’t have access to KSRTC or private buses. KSRTC officials said they are not operating buses to these villages mainly due to non-motorable roads, less population and dense forest areas.It has also come to light that 13,466 villages are non-nationalized areas where private operators are allowed to run services. Of these, KSRTC is not operating in 4,699 since it doesn’t have route permits from the transport department.In Mandya district, where 30 people were killed after a private bus fell into a canal, has 1,473 villages. Of them, only 116 are nationalized where KSRTC has exclusive permits. Of the remaining 1,357 villages, KSRTC is operating in 1,227.KSRTC officials said they can operate in non-nationalized villages only after receiving permits from the transport department. “We normally don’t get route permits to run services in non-nationalized villages even if there is a huge demand from people. In Kanaganamaradi in Mandya, where the accident happened, we got the permit only after the accident. In some cases, private operators approach court and get a stay to prevent KSRTC from receiving permits,” said a senior KSRTC official.“Shivamogga, a district located in the Western Ghats, has many habitations which are not accessible because of the hilly terrain,” he added.While KSRTC operates in 17 districts, bus services in Bengaluru Urban are run by BMTC and the remaining districts are served by NEKRTC and NWKRTC.VILLAGE WATCHVillages where KSRTC has monopoly: 7,326Where it operates in monopoly sector: 7,319Where it doesn’t operate: 7Villages in non-monopoly sector: 13,466Villages with KSRTC services: 8,774With no services: 4,692Source: KSRTC; data from 17 districts

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