KSRTC Sabarimala specials pain for commuters

Kochi: The inability of KSRTC authorities to roll out new buses for ‘Sabarimala specials’ is now taking its toll on the prestigious ‘Take over Route’ services of the Corporation, resulting in commuting woes on the high-demand routes. To tide over shortage of buses for Sabarimala special services, the KSRTC authorities are forced to redeploy buses operating in many of the nearly 200 ‘Take Over routes’ – the corporation taking over permits of super class private bus services following a court order nearly two years back.

“The Fast Passenger bus operating at 7.15 am from Ernakulam to Devikulam, the evening service to Kumali besides Nedumngandam is repeatedly being cancelled since the Sabarimala season began. This has resulted in a situation where there are neither private buses nor KSRTC buses operating at peak hours,” said Anand Vijayalakshmi, a resident of Idukki working in Kochi. “Since the new buses are mainly deployed for operating Take over services, we’re forced to take out them and operate to Sabarimala during the pilgrimage season. This time, only five buses have been allotted to Ernakulam depot against 20,” a source told DC.