Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has said that in addition to the 700 new buses provided to North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), tender had been floated for purchase of 300 new buses and sanction had been given for 150 buses.
During the programme organised to mark the inauguration of the renovated new Central Bus Station of Hubballi and award ceremony for drivers for accident free driving in Hubballi on Friday, he said that additional buses would be provided post the winter session in December.
The Transport Minister said that during 2019, approval was given for appointment of 13,000 posts in the State transport corporation but Finance Department approved recruitment for 9,000 posts. Because of COVID-19 the recruitment process was affected during 2021 and 2022. And subsequently no appointment had taken place. But now over 1,000 persons had been appointed on compassionate grounds, he said.
He pointed out that during the last two and a half year appointment orders had been issued to 258 persons on compassionate grounds and on Friday (November 7, 2025) 37 persons were being issued appointment orders.
Regarding the ongoing recruitment process, the Minister said that the Chairman and Managing Director of NWKRTC had submitted proposal seeking approval for recruitment of 1,800 drivers and the same had been brought to the notice of the Chief Minister. However there had been a delay in resolving the issue and it would be again brought to the notice of the Chief Minister, he said.
Emphasising the need for better upkeeping of the renovated new central bus station, Mr. Reddy said that if the new bus station was not properly maintanined, then action would be taken against the divisional controller. Especially requisite steps should be taken for better maintenance of the toilets, he said.
On the demand for auto rickshaw stands near the NWKRTC bus stations in Hubballi and Dharwad, he said that steps would be taken to provide required space and the police should take requisite measures in this regard.
Labour Minister Santosh Lad said that after Congress came to power in the State, over 10,000 persons had been provided employment in the transport corporations, in the buses of which over 1.50 crore people travel safely everyday.
Pointing out that there was need for more buses, Mr. Lad said that already 5,800 buses had been purchased and NWKRTC had been given 700 buses. He also mentioned that the transport corporations had received a total of 670 awards so far and out of them 400 awards had been received during the tenure of Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.
The Labour Minister said that the Shakti scheme had resulted in increase in the number of woman employees in the State. While woman employees had increased by 23% in Bengaluru, in rural areas the increase was 21%, he said.
Presiding over the function, Hubballi Dharwad Central MLA Mahesh Tenginakai appreciated the new look of the renovated central bus station. He said that while Shakti scheme had benefited the women, the government should also look into the problems of the employees and also resolve the problems in the ongoing recruitment process. People also had a great responsibility in good up-keeping of the bus stations along with the staff, he said.
Chairman of NWKRTC Bharamagouda (Raju) Kage said that the job of drivers was tough and the corporation would take every step to resolve their problems. Managing Director of NWKRTC M. Priyanga made introductory remarks. A host of leaders including chief whip of Leiglsative Council Saleem Ahmed, Chairman of HESCOM Syed Ajeem Peer Khadri, MLCs Pradeep Shettar and F.H. Jakkappanavar, Chairman of Bal Vikas Academy Sangamesh Babaleshwar, Mayor Jyoti Patil and others were present.
Published – November 07, 2025 07:15 pm IST
