Transport dept turns blinds eye to SC verdict; extends permit of long-distance private buses

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Transport Department has violated the Supreme Court's decision to hand over the long-distance service permits of private buses to KSRTC as soon as they expire. They plan to extend the service permit. The excuse is that KSRTC does not have enough buses. Last month, permits of 20 private buses on the Idukki-Kochi route were extended. There is also a move to extend the permits of 80 buses that will expire in the coming months. Attempts are being made to implement the same method in some other routes. Private bus owners in Kochi and Malabar regions have approached the transport department with the demand to extend the permit.

KSRTC, which is struggling under financial crisis, would have benefited from these permits. Meanwhile, the purchase of 600 diesel buses and 179 electric buses using the first phase of KIIFB loan of Rs 359 crore for Swift is delayed. This also resulted in not taking up new long-distance services. The tender process was finalized in September.