5 days ago
Chamundi Hills: KSRTC operates over 1,300 trips during Ashada weekend
The rush of devotees to the Chamundi Hills in Mysuru on the first Friday of the Ashada season was unprecedented, with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) handling the massive passenger load by operating nearly 1,336 trips over the weekend.
Since private vehicles have been banned on Ashada Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays to ease traffic congestion on hilltop, the KSRTC has to ferry devotees during this period.
Officials of the Mysuru Urban Division of the KSRTC ensured smooth operations from both the city bus stand (CBS) and the makeshift bus stand at the foothills near Lalitha Mahal. The ride to Chamundi Hill on the first Friday was free for men, while women availed themselves of free travel under the Shakti scheme.
On Friday alone, the corporation operated 580 trips, deploying 98 buses, including eight Volvo buses. On Saturday and Sunday, 336 and 420 trips were operated respectively, with 49 buses on Saturday and 47 on Sunday pressed into service.
This year, devotees purchasing ₹300 and ₹2,000 tickets were transported separately. On Friday, 310 buses carried devotees who purchased ₹300 tickets, while 63 Volvo buses transported ₹2,000 ticket holders. The premium ₹2,000 ticket holders were ferried in Multiaxle Airavatha Club Class AC buses, as the KSRTC has phased out older AC buses that were earlier operated on city routes.
Nearly 400 staff were on duty on Friday to ensure seamless operations amid the heavy rush. From CBS alone, the KSRTC operated 541 trips, ferrying passengers boarding en route to the hills.
KSRTC Divisional Controller (Mysuru urban) Veeresh said operations were conducted successfully without any complaints. 'Though the rush was slightly less on Saturday compared to the usual trend during Ashada weekends, we will continue to deploy as many buses as possible. We do not want to take chances considering the rush witnessed all these years,' he said.
The officials said that the same strategy would continue for the upcoming Fridays and weekends as the rush is expected to increase in the coming weeks.
This is perhaps the biggest single-day operation the KSRTC undertakes annually on a single route in Mysuru. Even during Dasara, while the overall city rush is high, the Chamundi Hills remains one of the busiest destinations.
