The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is gearing up to launch its longest daily services yet, connecting Bengaluru to Ahmedabad and Puri (Odisha).
These European-style, air-conditioned sleeper buses will cover a distance of about 1,500 km to both cities.
Currently, KSRTC’s longest routes include Bengaluru-Mumbai and Bengaluru-Shirdi, each spanning around 1,000 km. The decision to expand comes amidst high demand and tough competition from private players.
“There’s a strong demand for long-distance buses from Bengaluru. KSRTC, known for its extensive fleet of Volvo buses and reliable services, aims to venture into new routes,” said V Anbukumar, Managing Director of KSRTC, speaking to DH.
Private operators already serve routes from Bengaluru to far-off places like Ahmedabad, Indore, Bhopal, Jaipur, Jaitaran, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. The Bengaluru-Jaisalmer route, spanning over 2,000 km, holds the record for India’s longest bus service. Notably, there’s currently no direct bus link from Bengaluru to Puri, a significant pilgrimage site on Odisha’s coast.
To kickstart these new services, KSRTC awaits approvals from transport authorities in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh—states that lie along these routes. “Discussions are underway with these authorities and are progressing well. We anticipate a positive outcome soon,” added Anbukumar.
Typically, transport authorities do not object to limited service launches. KSRTC remains optimistic that these new routes will prove profitable, akin to their successful long-distance services that are considered flagship offerings.
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