132 Villages in Davanagere District Await KSRTC Bus Connectivity Amid Infrastructure Challenges
A significant number of villages in Davanagere district, Karnataka, continue to face a critical lack of government public transport services. As many as 132 villages remain without Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus connectivity, primarily due to issues such as inadequate road infrastructure. This situation leaves residents, including women seeking to utilize the Shakti scheme for free travel and students commuting to educational institutions, without reliable transport options.
District-Wide Transport Coverage and Gaps
Davanagere district comprises a total of 843 villages, with 711 villages currently having access to public transport. While Harihar taluk enjoys full transport coverage, several villages in Jagalur and Channagiri taluks are notably underserved. The district falls under the jurisdiction of KSRTC, with officials highlighting ongoing efforts to address these disparities.
KSRTC Infrastructure and Operational Challenges
The Davanagere KSRTC division operates from 4 depots: two in Davanagere, and one each in Harihar and Channagiri taluks. Despite deploying 425 buses from these facilities, providing services to all villages has proven unfeasible. The introduction of the state government's Shakti scheme has further increased demand for government buses, as women seek to avail free travel benefits, and students advocate for improved connectivity.
In response to public demand, a proposal has been submitted to the Davanagere division central office to allocate 51 additional buses. A new depot recently commenced operations in Channagiri, enhancing connectivity prospects for villages in that taluk. Additionally, residents of Jagalur taluk have organized marches to demand a depot and adequate bus services, with 4 acres of land approved for this purpose, which could benefit numerous villages.
Officials Cite Road Network and Permit Issues
Divisional Traffic Control Officer Fakruddin explained that KSRTC aims to provide transport connectivity to all villages in the district. However, many villages lack the necessary road network for bus operations, while others require new permits. Some villages, though not far from main roads, receive lower priority for bus connectivity due to operational constraints. Fakruddin stated, "There are demands from several villages for bus services. Efforts are being made to provide services based on bus availability."
Private Bus Networks and Villager Appeals
In taluks such as Channagiri, Honnali, Nyamati, and Harihar, private bus networks are extensive, with only private buses operating on several routes. Among the 132 villages without government bus services, only a few receive private bus alternatives. Villagers like Tippanna MN from Astapanahalli in Channagiri taluk have appealed for government intervention, stating, "We have demanded govt buses to our village for several years, but the authority has not addressed our demand. Govt should operate a bus to our village so we can make use of the Shakti scheme."
Taluk-Wise Breakdown of Villages Without Bus Facility
- Davanagere Taluk: 172 total villages, 7 without bus facility
- Jagalur Taluk: 170 total villages, 27 without bus facility
- Channagiri Taluk: 246 total villages, 91 without bus facility
- Honnali-Nyamati Taluk: 168 total villages, 7 without bus facility
- Harihar Taluk: 87 total villages, 0 without bus facility
This data underscores the uneven distribution of transport services across the district, with Channagiri taluk facing the most significant shortfall. Efforts to expand KSRTC services are ongoing, but infrastructure and resource limitations continue to hinder progress.
