The Kerala authorities on Friday (October 11, 2024) mentioned numerous measures – comparable to permitting Kerala State Street Transport Company (KSRTC) depots to determine worthwhile routes, changing buses to CNG and a door-to-door courier facility – had been being explored by the transport company to make its operations worthwhile and useful for the general public.
The brand new measures had been introduced within the Meeting by State Transport Minister Ok.B. Ganesh Kumar in response to questions raised by numerous MLAs concerning the operations of the Kerala State Street Transport Company (KSRTC).
Mr. Ganesh Kumar mentioned 85% of the 93 KSRTC depots had been capable of now function on a revenue or no-profit-no-loss foundation after they had been allowed to choose the routes that had been most worthwhile.
He additional mentioned that being attentive to the deplorable situation of public bathrooms in depots and the necessity to present clear sanitation amenities for passengers, operation of bathrooms in 10 depots has been handed over to Sulabh Worldwide, a non-profit organisation working within the fields of sanitation, social reform, and schooling. Extra might be handed over to them, he mentioned.
Mr. Ganesh Kumar mentioned that there was an issue of consignments despatched via KSRTC generally getting unloaded at a incorrect depot and subsequently, it was contemplating collaborating with a start-up, which has approached the transport company, to offer door-to-door courier amenities.
Moreover, KSRTC buses are being transformed to CNG in phases as conversion of every bus prices ₹10-11 lakh.
“Solely long-distance buses are being transformed to CNG as working them inside cities is just not worthwhile or fuel-efficient,” the Minister mentioned.
Sabarimala providers
Concerning the upcoming annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season on the Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala, when KSRTC buses are used to ferry pilgrims to and from the temple, the Minister mentioned all preparations have been made and enough automobiles have been organized for the aim.
He mentioned that whereas arranging buses for ferrying pilgrims, the KSRTC confronted the challenges of lack of recent buses and the Central authorities directive to scrap automobiles older than 15 years. “Nevertheless, we had been capable of make the required preparations,” he informed the Home.
The operations of the KSRTC have been a matter of concern for the State authorities because of the big money owed it has incurred and staff shifting the Kerala Excessive Court docket over delays in fee of salaries and pensions.
Revealed – October 11, 2024 12:07 pm IST