MANGALORE : The much awaited Mangalore-Manipal KSRTC Volvo buses which were supposed to be flagged off by Transport Minister R Ashok, were finally given the green signal by District in-charge Minister Krishna Palemar, at a simple ceremony held at the State Bank bus stand on Saturday.

The KSRTC Volvo buses which were lying idle since the past several days after the transport minister dilly dallied to visit Mangalore to flag them off, finally commenced their maiden journey on Saturday. Back at Manipal., Home Minister VS Acharya flagged off the Volvo buses at the Syndicate Bank area.

In fact, the buses were expected to be flagged off during Ugadi Celebrations by the transport minister Ashok. But the intense lobbying by private bus operators delayed the commencement of the bus services. Reports even said huge cash had passed hands in seeing to it that the buses did not see the light of the day.

However, the CM during his recent visit to the city when apprised of the matter, said the buses would be flagged off by the district minister even if the Transport Minister who was busy with the BBMP polls may not be able to make it to Mangalore.

Back in Mangalore there was much criticism against the non-commencement of the bus services.

In the next phase, the KSRTC is expected to operate Volvo buses on the Mangalore-Kasargod route.

Related news:

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2. KSRTC to operate Volvo buses on Manipal-K’god route
3. Confusion over inaugural of Manipal-Kasargod Volvo buses
4. Volvo buses in trouble as pvt bus crew begin their dirty game again
5. “Govt buses on all routes if Volvo movement is obstructed”