KSRTC forms 20 clusters

Kochi: In a bid to enhance operational efficiency, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has decided to classify its depots across the state into 20 clusters.

Any decision on service operation should now be decided by unit heads of the particular clusters jointly and the depot heads can't take unilateral decisions.

"It has come to our notice that the services operated by various depots, especially neighbouring ones, often overlap each other, resulting in them yielding less revenue. If decisions are taken  consulting each other, the convoy services can be avoided and the services could be operated at fixed intervals," a senior KSRTC official said.

The 96 depots have been classified into 20 clusters with each one having three to seven depots under it. For instance, 'Cluster 10' includes Changanasery, Erattupetta, Kottayam, Pala, Ponkunnam, Vaikom and Koothattukulam while 'Cluster 13' has just Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha and Perumbavoor units.

"The aim is to facilitate co-ordination between various units in service operation. The unit heads should convene a meet in the presence of respective executive directors every two weeks when decisions like new service can be taken. Similarly, issues such as overlapping of service and lack of adequate service to certain destinations should be resolved there. The decision taken should be implemented from next day onwards," read a memorandum issued by the deputy general manager (operations).

Meanwhile, the Corporation on Monday moved the Supreme Court with a plea requesting to stay the recent High Court order to expel all empanelled drivers before May 1.

"A total of 1,565 drivers will have to be ousted in that case which will affect operation of services in a major way. We've requested for a stay against the lower court order and also additional time to implement the direction," the official said.