KSRTC buses skip Kochi routes

Kochi: Hundreds of passengers, especially from eastern parts of the district, are put to difficulty by KSRTC buses skipping city areas for flawed traffic diversions for Kochi Metro construction works along MG Road.

It continues even after major works in the critical areas got completed. The buses for Ernakulam depot from Vytilla go through the Kadavanthra-Kathrikadavu- A L Jacob RoB route instead of the Manorama-South RoB-MG Road. Similarly, those going via Vytilla are being diverted via A L Jacob RoB-Kadavanthra instead of Valanjambalam- Manorama route.

“The main difficulty cited was the Junction before the Central Square Mall along the MG Road. Now the metro construction there is over, but the cutting point to the KSRTC depot has turned into two-wheeler parking space. But private buses continue to ply through the MG Road,” a senior KSRTC officer said.

The diversion affects commuters from places like Piravom, Thodupuzha and Koothattukulam. They are forced to alight at Vytilla hub and take private buses to reach the city.

The KSRTC too suffered revenue losses and was even compelled to stop Vytilla-Vytilla circular bus services. “The district transport officer would write to the traffic police to stop to revert to old routes,” the officer said.