Kerala ignoring PM E-Bus Seva scheme and running after diesel busses; tender process to purchase 305 minibuses for city transport initiated

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even when the Centre is ready to provide electric buses under the PM E-Bus Seva scheme, Kerala is running after diesel buses. KSRTC has entered into the tender process to purchase 305 minibuses for city transport. However, the money for this has not been confirmed.

The process was initiated with the hope that the government would allocate Rs 93 crore in the plan fund. Public transport in Kerala is once again showing love towards smoke emitting diesel vehicles at a time when most of the cities in the country are shifting to eco-friendly vehicles.

Mini-buses were purchased in 2001-03 when Ganesh Kumar was the minister and then when N Sakthan became the minister. This had caused heavy losses to KSRTC. The idea was dropped halfway. Tender was invited to buy minibuses again forgetting this history. Minibuses were purchased on a loan from KTDFC at that time. Transport department moved to invite tenders for the third time before the buses in the second phase arrived. The third purchase did not take place after the additional secretary of the finance department, who was the financial advisor to KSRTC at the time, objected to it. If more buses had been purchased, KSRTC would have been more indebted. What followed was a series of minibuses ending up in the garage.

2200 buses to expire

The term of 1200 buses used for KSRTC ordinary service will end next month. The validity of these buses was extended by one more year after 15 years. Next month, 1,000 more buses will complete 15 years. Buses that operate as fast passengers are made ordinary after 5 years. Buses are used as superclass service for 5 years. The tenure of 280 buses was extended to 8 years through a special order due to the inability to buy new buses. That period is also coming to an end.