KSRTC driving school initiative gains momentum: 30 trainees receive licenses

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Out of the first batch of 37 trainees from the KSRTC Staff Training Center, 30 successfully obtained their driving licenses. The licenses were distributed during a ceremony held at the KSRTC SWIFT headquarters in Anayara. The event, presided over by MLA Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, saw Minister of Transport Mr KB Ganesh Kumar presenting the licenses to the newly certified drivers.

Earlier, the state-level inauguration of KSRTC Driving Training Centers was conducted online by the Chief Minister, with the goal of providing quality driving instruction to the public at affordable rates. As part of this initiative, 11 driving schools are being launched across Kerala in the first phase. Special provisions have been made for women, with specially trained female instructors appointed to provide driving lessons. Additionally, KSRTC announced in a press release that students from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes would benefit from reduced training fees.

The KSRTC's Thiruvananthapuram Staff Training Center, the first of its kind, has already admitted 182 students in various driving categories, including HMV, LMV and two-wheelers. The initiative is receiving widespread public support and as a result, further funding will be provided to MLAs to establish more training centers. These centers will be supported by the MLA Asset Development Fund in locations such as Parassala, Attingal, Chathannur, Chittoor, Chatayamangalam, Mavelikkara and Vithura.

The Kerala Road Safety Authority and the Department of Motor Vehicles have approved a financial allocation of Rs. 30 lakh per training center for the establishment of driving schools in 11 KSRTC units. A comprehensive plan has been prepared for this expansion.

In a significant addition, the Society for Emergency Medicine, in collaboration with KSRTC, will establish 24/7 Emergency Medical Care Units at 14 KSRTC depots. These centers, designed to handle all types of medical emergencies, including geriatric care, will serve passengers, staff, and the general public. The units will be operational in key locations such as Thiruvananthapuram Central, Kottarakkara, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Sultan Bathery, Kannur, Kasaragod, Neyyattinkara, Nedumangad and Thrissur.