Mangaluru: Despite the large number of devotees visiting Sri Mookambika Temple in Kollur, KSRTC does not operate regular direct services from Mangaluru and Udupi bus stands to the place.Though KSRTC’s Mangaluru division runs buses on several routes across DK and Udupi districts, the absence of direct connectivity to pilgrimage centre forces passengers to rely largely on private buses or change buses en route. Consequently, many women are unable to avail the free travel under the state govt’s Shakti scheme.While frequent private buses are plying on Mangaluru-Udupi-Kollur route, Kerala has been operating a bus from Kottarakkara, Kollam district to the temple daily.An average of 6,000 to 7,000 from across Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and other states visit the temple every day. During peak season, the footfall crosses 12,000. Many devotees, especially women demand that the state needs to introduce KSRTC buses to all pilgrim centres.Nisha Kumari, a housewife, told TOI that the state govt should consider introducing at least one KSRTC bus each from Mangaluru and Udupi towards Kollur daily. “Since it is a historic temple, the govt should have introduced KSRTC buses so that it would benefit devotees, especially women,” she said.Senior divisional controller of KSRTC Mangaluru Division, Rajesh Shetty, said that a state-run bus has been operating on Byndoor – Kollur – Bengaluru route. “Historically, the Kollur route has belonged to the private sector. Between Mangalore-Udupi and Mangaluru-Kundapur, private buses have always been more predominant,” he said, adding that he will look into the demand.Guarantee Panel to hold meetingChairman of Dakshina Kannada district guarantee schemes implementation committee, Bharath Mundodi, told TOI that the lack of KSRTC buses to Kollur was raised during the recent state committee meeting. He said that a meeting will be held soon. “Discussions in this regard are ongoing, but the primary issue is the shortage of buses with the KSRTC. Procurement of extra buses has started just now. New buses are being distributed across all divisions in the state. We have a meeting scheduled on Aug 18 in Mangaluru, to review how many buses our division has received and determine how to operate them,” he added.
