Former Indian cricketer Sunil Joshi has called for the reinstatement of the Volvo bus service between Bengaluru and Gadag, which he claims was abruptly canceled without explanation. Joshi, a native of Gadag now residing in Bengaluru, highlighted that the Airavat (Volvo semi-sleeper) bus service was introduced before the 2023 Assembly elections following his appeal to then-Transport Minister B. Sriramulu. However, the service has since been discontinued.
In his recent statement to Deccan Herald (DH), Joshi questioned the rationale behind the discontinuation, arguing that it was not due to low demand. He emphasized that many people travel between Bengaluru and Gadag, and the Volvo service provided a valuable option. Joshi expressed his frustration, noting it would be “unfair” to deny Gadag the same quality of service enjoyed by other small towns connected to Bengaluru.
Joshi took to X (formerly Twitter) to raise the issue, urging Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, and Gadag District In-charge Minister H. K. Patil to address the matter. Currently, the route lacks both AC and sleeper bus options, leaving passengers with limited choices.
Priyanga M, Managing Director of North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), responded by stating that Pallakki (non-AC sleeper) buses will soon be introduced on the Bengaluru-Gadag route. The NWKRTC also noted that the Volvo service belonged to the Bengaluru division and there was no prior information on its cancellation from their end.
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