Residents of Dharmathadka, a pocket in the northern interior region of Kasaragod district in Kerala, about 49km from Mangaluru, are set to get direct bus connectivity to the city, with KSRTC likely to restart the service by August, easing daily travel for students, workers and patients.
Background of the Service
The state-run corporation had operated the service before the Covid-19 pandemic, but later discontinued it due to poor revenue collection. KSRTC Mangaluru senior divisional controller Rajesh Shetty said the division still holds a permit for the Dharmathadka route and has an agreement with Kerala, and that the move to resume operations followed requests from local residents.
Revenue and Operational Details
Shetty said the service had generated around Rs 25 to 26 per km, compared to the Mangaluru–Kasaragod service, which earns an average of Rs 50 to 60 per km. The route would be operational once the division receives new buses. “The vehicles were expected to arrive in May, but there has been a delay. We do not know exactly when the buses will arrive, as all chassis are presently in the body-building stage. Once the vehicles reach our division, we will plan the route accordingly,” he said.
Community Response
Welcoming the move, Fahad, an education counsellor, said the service would greatly benefit students and daily commuters, including patients travelling to Mangaluru. “This will reduce travel time, and we will be able to reach the city without changing two buses,” he said. Another local resident said the service would be useful for students, but added that the timing should be changed from 8.30am to 6am to better benefit them.
Future Interstate Routes
On the possibility of introducing more interstate routes connecting interior parts of Kasaragod with Mangaluru, Shetty said new services require agreements between the Karnataka and Kerala governments, with approvals at the state level, followed by route formation and permits. “If there is any proposal from Kerala or any agreement for increasing services, Karnataka will respond positively, and an agreement can be worked out,” he said.
