Public transport in Tier 2 cities and towns is set to get a boost with the State government hopeful of getting substantial grants from the Union government to procure buses and create infrastructure under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

The three transport corporations serving Karnataka other than Bangalore, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), North West KRTC and North East KRTC, are submitting their own proposals to the Union Urban Developmeniest Ministry seeking sanction for projects, in all, worth Rs. 972 crore. The proposals include procurement of new buses for Tier 2 cities and construction of bus depots, workshops and bus stations.

Principal Secretary to Government (Transport Department) P. Ravi Kumar told The Hindu that the transport corporations are in advanced stages of making the proposals ahead of their counterparts in the country for JNNURM Transition Phase 2013-14.

He said, “Since we are conversant with the procedure, we are ahead of others and we might get the projects sanctioned very soon.”

The Union government would offer 80 per cent of the funds for JNNURM projects for Tier 2 cities while the beneficiary corporation and the State government have to bear the balance amount equally. This will help the transport corporations to provide affordable city commuting in their jurisdictions, Mr. Ravi Kumar said. KSRTC, which caters to commuters in the southern parts of the State, has submitted a proposal for Mysore city exclusively seeking to procure 500 buses, including air-conditioned vehicles, at a cost of Rs. 211 crore. It has proposed to procure 500 buses for 10 other cities/ towns under its jurisdiction at a cost of Rs. 137 crore besides proposing to spend Rs. 136 crore for various infrastructure projects, he said.

On the other hand, the North West KRTC, which caters to people in the north-western parts of the State, has proposed to procure 440 buses at a cost of Rs. 156 crore to serve seven towns under its jurisdiction. It has proposed to take up infrastructure projects worth Rs. 256 crore to provide more facilities to passengers. The NEKRTC, serving the north-eastern region of the State, is keen on procuring 140 buses for eight towns at a cost of Rs. 38 crore. It has sought sanction for infrastructure projects worth Rs. 38 crore, Mr. Ravi Kumar said.

Source-http://www.thehindu.com