Netizens ask: Why no NWKRTC buses to Mumbai

Hubballi: A debate on what is stopping North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) from operating buses to Mumbai is playing out on social media, with users questioning why the corporation does not run even a single service between Hubballi and Mumbai while private operators run 94 daily buses, including premium services.The issue resurfaced after TOI reported on it in Aug 2024, following which NWKRTC briefly resumed Mumbai-bound services. The buses were cancelled a few months later, prompting fresh criticism online over the absence of luxury buses on prime routes.The debate began with a post by the Hubballi Dharwad Infra account on X Tuesday. "Have they succumbed to the private lobby?" the handler asked.A Dharwad-based user, Varun Rao, pointed out that private operators run Volvo 9600s and BharatBenz AC and non-AC sleeper buses on the route. "Why did NWKRTC fail to introduce Rajaratha? Why didn't NWKRTC purchase new Utsav buses for the Hubballi depot to operate on long routes as a replacement for Corona buses? The only sleeper service has stopped. Is this inefficiency or influence from the private bus lobby?" he asked.Another user, lovingdad_7, recalled that at least six Airavatha buses operated from Davanagere to Pune or Mumbai between 2012 and 2016. "Today, there is only one Airavatha from Bengaluru to Pune. It's a serious downfall for the transport corporation," he said.Users Prashant Shet and Pranav Badachikar also complained that NWKRTC is not providing enough luxury buses to Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Kolhapur and other cities. Dakshinapatheshwara noted that MSRTC has introduced more services from Mumbai and Pune to Belagavi, Hubballi and other North Karnataka cities.Responding to the criticism, NWKRTC managing director Priyanga M said the issue had been discussed in detail. "With the shortage of buses and crew, we were unable to cater to certain sectors. However, we are resuming Hubballi-Mumbai services again in this peak season," she said.