Mysuru: In preparation for the forthcoming Dussehra celebrations, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in Mysuru has taken proactive measures to accommodate the expected surge in visitors. This year’s Dussehra festivities in the culturally rich city of Mysore are scheduled to commence on Sunday, August 15.
The heightened interest is attributed to the state Congress’s launch of the Shakti Yojana, a program aimed at empowering women. This initiative is anticipated to attract a significant number of participants who wish to witness the grandeur of Dussehra, a significant Hindu festival. With the introduction of the Shakti Yojana, approximately 3.75 lakh people are already using public transportation daily. This figure is expected to rise to around five lakh during the Dussehra celebrations. To ensure the convenience of the public and alleviate potential overcrowding, the KSRTC division in Mysore has decided to deploy an additional 350 buses.
Srinivas, the KSRTC divisional Controller, has emphasized the necessity of these additional buses, recognizing the potential for increased congestion during Dussehra. As a response, the KSRTC plans to operate these extra buses and, if the demand continues to rise, they may need to bring in buses from depots in neighboring districts. All preparations have been made to efficiently manage the increased traffic during Dussehra.
Anticipating the heightened traffic due to the Shakti Yojana, additional drivers and conductors are being reassigned from nearby districts to operate various types of additional buses, including Rajhamsa and Airawat. It’s a customary practice for different KSRTC divisions, such as Mandya and Chamarajanagar, to collaborate during Dussehra when there is a greater demand for buses.
This year, to accommodate the expected influx of Dussehra enthusiasts attracted by the Shakti Yojana, buses will also be brought in from Hassan and Chikmagalur divisions, in addition to Mandya and Chamarajanagar. While daily ridership numbers reached 3.75 to 3.80 lakh in July and August, they slightly decreased to 3.55 lakh in September.
The Mysore division typically operates around 300 trips to Bangalore, offering various services, including luxury and premium options. As Dussehra approaches, the bus schedule is set to expand significantly to meet the heightened demand. With nine depots in operation, the division faces the challenge of operating inter-city services at full capacity as passenger loads exceed 100%. Additionally, the city bus stand is expected to experience high traffic, particularly towards Chamundi Hill and Brindavan Park, as buses to popular tourist destinations will be in high demand during this festive period.
