HC notice to Karnataka govt over new KSRTC permits on Mangaluru–Karkala route

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to the state government in response to a petition challenging the recent issuance of new KSRTC bus permits between Mangaluru and Karkala.

The petition was filed by Vijay H. Tantri, a private bus operator from Kaup in Udupi district, along with others. The single-judge bench led by Justice B.M. Shyam Prasad took up the matter for hearing on Monday and directed notices to be served to the Managing Director of KSRTC, the Chairman, and the Secretary of the Dakshina Kannada Regional Transport Authority (RTA).

The petitioners argued that the government, on March 17, 2025, issued a notification granting permits for four KSRTC buses to run five single trips per day, which they claim violates the Karnataka Integrated Area Transport Plan–2019. They also alleged that the decision was made unilaterally, without consulting or hearing private bus operators.

The court asked the government to clarify whether a joint survey was conducted to assess transport demand on the route before issuing the new permits. It also stated that the outcome of a scheduled meeting on April 8—convened by the RTA Secretary to finalise the timetable for the new trips—would be subject to further court orders.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on April 21.