‘Shortage of drivers may hit services’

KOLLAM: In an apparent move to bail himself and the KSRTC out ahead of the Sabarimala season, Transport Minister Jose Thettayil hinted that there might be disruption of KSRTC services during t

KOLLAM: In an apparent move to bail himself and the KSRTC out ahead of the Sabarimala season, Transport Minister Jose Thettayil hinted that there might be disruption of KSRTC services during the Sabarimala pilgrimage season.

 Speaking at an evaluation meeting at convened held at Kottarakkara on  Thursday to discuss the preparedness of the KSRTC to handle the rush of pilgrims during the pilgrimage season, the Minister said KSRTC was facing severe shortage of drivers.  Many of the schedules are being  cancelled owing to the shortage of drivers.

While the depots  are stressing on operating the long-distance services several regional schedules are getting cancelled.  

He told the meeting attended by top officials of the KSRTC that the Corporation had taken the initiative to recruit drivers through employment exchanges.   

A total of 96 drivers have been recruited in Pathanamthitta through the employment exchange. Efforts are on to recruit more drivers in Kollam and Alappuzha districts through the employment exchanges.

Operating centre at Andamukkam

The Minister said that the Kollam Corporation  had decided to allot 50 cents of land at Andamukkam in the city to start an operating centre for the KSRTC.

 He said that  directives had been issued in this regard and the revenue authorities have surveyed the land for this.  The proposed operating centre at Andamukkam will operate the ordinary services of the KSRTC in Kollam city. He said that the operating centre would bring some relief to the Kollam depot which is facing severe space constraints. The Minister said that KSRTC‘s income had shown some growth in August and decreased in September. He clarified that he had no role in banning “Swami Saranam’’ stickers on KSRTC buses.  The media was misinterpreting his orders in this regard, he said.

 Aisha Potty MLA presided over the meeting.

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