THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pramoj Shankar who assumed office as the new KSRTC CMD went straight to his father Parameswaran Pillai to take blessings.

Parameswaran Pillai was the first Inspector-in-charge of Venjaramoodu KSRTC unit. So, Pramoj Shankar is not unaware of the perennial troubles alerting the department, mostly the delayed pensions.

Pramoj Shankar, who was joint KSRTC MD, was appointed CMD on Thursday. Minister Ganeshkumar has given instructions to the new CMD to take adept measures to make sure that the salary payment of employees gets done on the first day of every month. Payment of pension arrears will start soon and the department hopes to increase the revenue with the cooperation of employees.

As of now, 860 buses are now in the garage. The mechanical department will be strengthened and more workers will be brought from various sections to make all the buses functional. KSRTC is also planning to reschedule routes that have not brought in any profits.

“There are cases where passenger count comes low when the bus approaches the last stop. An alternate plan will be brought in to allay this tension. An expert committee has been formed to coordinate the process of procuring new buses. Diesel buses will be purchased immediately. There is no point in continuing services that won’t even give you back the diesel money” said Pramoj.

Pramoj is on deputation from the Central Defense Department and can continue for three years or till the deputation expires. He is a native of Vembayam in Thiruvananthapuram.