THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Finance Department has blocked the integrated transport system project, which connects all the transport systems in the state, in the name of cost-cutting.

The Finance Ministry has queried the file of the Transport Department seeking allocation of funds for recruitment of staff and operation of the office for the implementation of the scheme. The project did not get a place in the budget either.

The scheme was launched during the previous government with the objective of providing easy access to transport facilities like bicycles, bikes, auto rickshaws, cars, buses, trains and ships. The aim was to implement it first in Kochi and then in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. An office was opened in Kochi and two employees were recruited.

Leaps and fall

Discussions were held with representatives of the Auto and Taxi Workers' Union, led by the first two appointees.

Thousands of auto, taxi and bus workers have been trained and an app has been set up for passengers' use.

DPR has been prepared for project implementation