70 KSRTC buses vandalized; KSRTC suffers loss of Rs 42 lakh

KOCHI: KSRTC informed the High Court that 70 buses were vandalized during Popular Front's hartal yesterday and a loss of Rs 42 lakh was incurred. Justice Devan Ramachandran directed that damages should be recovered from those who vandalized the buses. The court asked whether many schedules would not be disrupted as it would take time to repair these buses and resume service. The court also asked if the loss would not be in crores.

This matter was mentioned while the court was considering the petition filed by the employees against the introduction of single duty in KSRTC.

"No right-thinking person will throw stones at KSRTC buses which are not even able to pay their salaries. Those who threw stones on the buses did after much thinking. They did it to scare people. . What action will be taken against those who vandalized the buses? This situation will change only when strong action is taken against those who touch KSRTC," the single bench said.