NWKRTC to be renamed after Channamma, transport min assures

Caption: Ministers Ramalinga Reddy,Satish Jarkiholi and Laxmi Hebbalkar dedicated 250 new buses to Belagavi division on Saturday Belagavi: Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy said the govt will move ahead with the proposal to name NWKRTC after Kittur Rani Channamma. Laxmi Hebbalkar, the minister for women and child development, had earlier appealed for renaming of the transport unit after Channamma. Speaking after dedicating 250 new buses to the Belagavi division during the corporation's 28th Foundation Day celebrations, the transport minister said the process of purchasing 2,000 new buses, as announced in the last budget, is in progress, with 250 vehicles already dedicated to the public. He also laid the foundation stone for the renovation of the first unit of the dedicated NWKRTC building, distributed medals to the operating staff who rendered accident/crime-free service, and released new software. Under the PME Bus Service Scheme, 100 vehicles were sanctioned for Belagavi city. Eleven new city transport vehicles are being purchased at a cost of Rs 5 crore. The process of purchasing 14 air-conditioned sleeper coaches at a cost of approximately Rs 8 crore and 10 non-air-conditioned sleeper coaches for around Rs 4 crore is in progress. The minister promised to provide 80 new buses for city transport soon. The minister also said it is a matter of pride for NWKRTC that it pays a Rs 1 crore compensation to the next-of-kin of transport employees who die during their service tenure. Satish Jarkiholi, the district in-charge minister, appealed for more new buses for Belagavi district. Bharamagowda (Raju) Kage, chairman, NWKRTC, said on an average, more than 25 lakh passengers travel on the corporation's buses daily. He appealed to the govt to clear the outstanding amount of Rs 1,100 crore that is still due to the organisation from the govt. During Saturday's celebrations, 68 bus drivers with accident-free records were awarded silver medals, while 188 candidates were handed out appointment letters, personal accident and group life insurance policies. Compensation cheques were handed over to the Family Welfare Fund Scheme.