Mangalore University to document contribution of private coastal bus sector to regional development

Mangalore University plans to document the contribution of the over-a-century-old private coastal bus sector to the overall development of the coastal region by establishing a research chair.

After a series of meetings with private bus operators, the university began working to establish the chair and prepare a document based on research and data.

The Vice-Chancellor of PL Dharma University said This Hindu that with a history of 110 years, private bus services, especially in undivided Dakshina Kannada (comprising present day Udupi district), have emerged as the ‘Mangaluru model’. Their contribution to the development of mobility and economy in the coastal region is immense.

First bus ride

The first private bus service in Dakshina Kannada was started in 1914 from Mangaluru to Bantwal and was operated by Manjunatha Travels.

Mr. Dharma, who took office four months ago, said private bus services, besides providing direct employment to many, have created indirect employment. They have provided business to garages, tyre changers, electricians, painters, spare parts shops and the like. Their contribution to tourism cannot be ignored.

Stating that private bus operators were offering services like a “parallel state”, the Vice Chancellor said there was a need to implement this “Mangaluru model” across the country. “Once documented, copies of it would be sent to state, union and other state governments to take a cue from the Mangaluru model,” Mr. Dharma said.

Referring to how private buses were offering connectivity to remote areas, the Vice Chancellor said that Perande near Konaje had around 10 houses. Some private buses were plying from Mangaluru to Perande, though running buses for an area having around 10 houses was not economically viable. There was another such remote location near Bajpe where private buses were offering their services.

Mr. Dharma said private buses have a history of acting as cargo carriers for farmers in villages of Bunder area in Mangaluru. Farmers used to rely on private buses to deliver agricultural implements and equipment from the main commercial hub of Bunder. “The concept of courier movement originated in Dakshina Kannada much earlier. Private buses implemented it then,” he said.

Mr. Dharma said private bus operators also contributed to social harmony. “Most Hindus worked in buses run by Muslim owners, while at the same time, many Muslims worked in buses run by Hindu owners. They celebrated many festivals together without any distinction,” he said.

Mr Dharma said bus operators have been asked to create a fund of ₹ 25 lakh for the proposed chair.

City and service buses

Dilraj Alva, former president of Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators’ Association, an organisation of city bus owners in Mangaluru, said the city now has 325 buses. The Canara Bus Owners’ Association (covering Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts) used to operate service buses and inter-district buses. There are now 1,500 such buses, he said.

Mr Alva said bus operators had suggested the university broaden the scope of the proposed department of studies to cover the entire transport industry in the twin counties.