KSRTC’s Mysuru division has begun preparations for new bus depots in T Narasipura, KRS and the Varuna-Suttur area as rising ridership and the planned addition of 120 electric buses increase pressure on the state transport operator’s existing network.
The corporation requires at least five acres for each depot. KSRTC Mysuru Urban divisional controller Jagadeesh Kumar told the Times of India that five acres of government land have already been identified for a depot at T Narasipura on the Talakadu route. The division is searching for land for the proposed facilities at KRS and Varuna or Suttur.
The Mysuru city division will send a proposal to the state government for construction at T Narasipura, KRS and either Varuna or Suttur after land identification and other procedures are completed, Kumar said. The proposals follow the state government’s reconstitution of the KSRTC Mysuru city and rural divisions, after which both divisions began focusing on establishing additional depots.
In the first phase, KSRTC plans to develop a depot at T Narasipura for the Talakadu route and another at Suttur in Nanjangud taluk. Varuna is being considered as an alternative if land cannot be secured at Suttur. A depot is also planned at Brindavan Gardens in KRS. The second phase includes proposed depots at Yelawal, HD Kote and Bannur.
Each new depot is expected to provide parking for 70 to 90 buses, along with staff rest houses and passenger facilities. According to Kumar, the facilities would allow the division to operate more buses from locations closer to the routes they serve.
The proposals come as Mysuru’s urban footprint expands and land prices rise following development around the peripheral ring road. KSRTC has also linked the increase in demand to the Shakthi scheme, which provides free bus travel for women, and the distribution of free bus passes to students.
At present, the KSRTC Mysuru city division operates around 350 buses. Its three depots are located in Bannimantap, while another depot under its jurisdiction is located in Nanjangud. The division operates services from the City Bus Stand to destinations and city outskirts including Suttur, Rammanahalli, Yelwal, Chamundi Hills, Hadinaru, Hosakote, Brindavan Gardens and T Narasipura.
The rural division has more than 800 buses. Mysuru is also expected to receive another 120 electric buses for the city division, although the report does not specify their delivery schedule or the locations from which they will operate.
The proposed depots are intended to support services across a wider area by providing parking, staff facilities and passenger infrastructure outside the existing depot network. The next formal step is for the Mysuru city division to submit its proposal to the state government after land identification and related procedures are completed.
