Mangaluru: Karnataka Legislative Council member Manjunath Bhandari has urged Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy to modernize the city’s central bus terminal and introduce electric buses in Mangaluru.
In a formal letter, Bhandari emphasized that Mangaluru is a prominent commercial and port city, drawing thousands of visitors daily for education, business, and tourism. Despite its growing importance, the city’s main bus station—sanctioned in 1980 and inaugurated in 1986 with a grant of ₹60 lakh—has seen minimal upgrades over nearly four decades.
Spread over 3 acres and 60 cents, the terminal houses a 4702.94 sq.m station building, 608.50 sq.m for two-wheeler parking, 171.92 sq.m for car parking, 1564.82 sq.m of auto-rickshaw space, and restroom facilities. However, Bhandari noted that these outdated facilities no longer meet the city’s evolving transportation needs.
On average, 585 buses operate in and out of the terminal daily, serving roughly 25,000 commuters. The bus stand has long remained in a neglected state, operating with limited financial support.
Pointing out that Mangaluru contributes significantly to the state’s revenue through its industrial base, Bhandari stressed the need to upgrade the bus terminal to meet modern standards—on par with facilities seen in other states. He proposed a comprehensive revamp with an estimated budget of ₹120 crore and the introduction of electric bus services to promote sustainable transport.
He concluded by urging the state to act swiftly in modernizing Mangaluru’s transport infrastructure to reflect its economic significance.
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