KOCHI: Plans are afoot to set up the Kerala Urban Transport Corporation, a subsidiary of the KSRTC, in Ernakulam. It will give a big boost to the KSRTC, said Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.
Thiruvanchoor-Radhakrishnan.jpgHe was speaking after laying the foundation stone of the new garage and administrative block at the Ernakulam bus stand the other day.
He said that steps would be taken to construct a shopping-complex-cum-bus stand, on BOT basis, on the premises of the existing Ernakulam bus stand, which is the oldest KSRTC bus depot in the State.
“Construction of the garage and administrative block is expected to be completed within six months. Once the administrative block is completed, the officers could be shifted to the new premises. The existing KSRTC bus stand will be demolished to make way for the high-tech complex,” he said.The minister said that there was an improvement in the daily collection of the KSRTC in the past week.
“Due to our concerted efforts, the KSRTC could record a collection of Rs 5.54 crore during the week, compared to Rs 4.5 crore recorded six months ago. We have set a daily collection goal of Rs 7 crore. If this target is achieved it would imply that the KSRTC has emerged from its financial crisis,” he said.
To achieve this goal, the KSRTC has begun operating those buses which were lying in garages across the State for want of repairs. “Until a few months ago, the KSRTC was operating an average of 4,630 buses daily. However, now the Corporation is operating 5,040 buses every day. We have issued directives to the officials concerned to make all the buses operational, except those which are beyond repair,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, the KSRTC has been directed to sell of its old and worn-out buses, including those having engine troubles.In order to motivate the drivers and conductors, Thiruvanchoor announced that employees who generate the highest daily collection would be rewarded. Also, a small portion of the daily collection will be paid as commission.
“The employees are doing a good job, but they need to improve their attitude. Hence, we are taking some employee-friendly initiatives to motivate them,” he said. Every schedule will be monitored to check the daily collection.“The demand for a Vallarpadom-Velankanni interstate service will be considered. We will have to hold talks with the Tamil Nadu Transport Department in this regard. Efforts will be made to commence the service at the earliest,” he said.
Hibi Eden MLA said that the municipality rules were the main problem being faced by the KSRTC in going ahead with the procedures for the construction of the shopping-cum-stand terminal in Ernakulam.
The MLA appreciated the efforts made by the GCDA chairman by providing space to widen the road near the KSRTC complex by 6 meters, which will ease the traffic bottlenecks.
Mayor Tony Chammany, District Collector M G Rajamanikyam, Councillor Lino Jacob and KSRTC executive director Sharaf Mohammed were also present.
News: New Indian Express
