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Kerala Kaumudi Online
Sunday, 16 February 2025 8.57 PM IST

KSRTC must ensure safe and tension-free travel; depots across state in deplorable condition

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Several KSRTC depots across the state are in deplorable condition, with buildings that could collapse at any moment. Women and children struggle to find proper facilities for their basic needs. Even district-level depots lack essential amenities, leaving passengers to suffer under dilapidated roofs and filthy toilets. Most depots have contract-based toilet services, but cleanliness is rarely maintained. Theft is rampant at the Thiruvananthapuram depot and CCTV cameras are often non-functional. Anti-social elements create a constant nuisance in the depot.

The Kollam depot, which is the oldest depot in the state, is among the worst affected. The roof is crumbling, and it could collapse at any time. Though funds were allocated for renovation in the state budget, technical issues have stalled the project. A new plan proposes shifting the office and depot to Taluk Office Junction and converting the current site into a tourism hub, but there is no clear timeline for execution.

Pathetic condition in Pathanamthitta
At the Pathanamthitta depot, the septic tank would overflow during rains. Poorly constructed buildings lead to waterlogging in the depot’s verandah and garage. Passengers frequently slip and fall due to the slippery floors. The Alappuzha depot is old and plagued by anti-social elements. Lack of space is the main issue at Kottayam depot, with no proper parking areas to park buses. Sloped parking often leads to accidents. Even though modern toilets have been built, maintenance is poor.

The KSRTC depot in Ernakulam, a major metro city, is in a pitiful state. The ageing building floods during rains, the toilets are unhygienic, and anti-social activities are rampant.

Thrissur: A depot full of limitations
The Thrissur depot suffers from a lack of space and poor hygiene. Passengers endure bumpy rides within the depot due to pothole-filled roads. The toilets exist only in name, with zero maintenance. In Thodupuzha (Idukki district), though a new building exists, it is not maintained properly. The Malappuram depot had been in a terrible state for eight years, forcing passengers to walk through mud to board buses, but renovation work is now in progress. Though Palakkad’s depot has a new building, its toilets have been shut for months. While Sulthan Bathery and Kalpetta depots are in relatively better condition, the Mananthavady depot remains a nightmare due to potholes and uneven surfaces. Kannur depot’s toilets are in poor condition, and Kasaragod depot, which serves interstate buses, lacks proper parking and bus bays.

Serious issues in Kozhikode
The multi-story depot at Mavoor Road in Kozhikode, constructed by KTDFC (Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation) with crores of rupees, has serious structural weaknesses. An IIT Chennai report confirmed major defects in pillars and other structural components. Despite the report being released months ago, authorities have failed to take any action. The building leaks heavily during rains.

TAGS: KSRTC, KSRTC DEPOT, KERALA
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