SABARIMALA: The failure of the Forest Department to open the Vallakadavu check-post to the KSRTC to operate the Kumily-Uppupara chain service affected hundreds of pilgrims who use the Pulmedu-Pandithavalam route to reach Sabarimala.
The pilgrims, especially those who come from Tamil Nadu through Kumily, are being fleeced by the unscrupulous jeep operators at present.
The alleged nexus between Forest Department personnel at Vallakadavu range office and the jeep operators’ lobby is behind the stalling of the KSRTC’s request for the Kumily- Uppupara schedule.
About two dozens jeeps are operating on the route to ferry the pilgrims from Kumily to Uppupara at present levying Rs 75 to Rs 100 per pilgrims as against the KSRTC fair of Rs 33. By continuing to allow the jeep operators, a section of the Forest Department officials is allegedly getting a part of the loot.
Buses arrive: The KSRTC bus station at Pampa was provided with 15 buses under the category of short-wheel base to operate the much-sought after schedule of the pilgrims.
The high-handedness of the jeep-operators has reached such an extent that the pilgrims, who bargain with them, are being abused and threatened.
Another dangerous aspect of the jeep service is that the private operators carry 20 to 25 pilgrims in a trip by forcing the pilgrims to stand even outside the vehicle.
There are no Motor Vehicle Department officials in the area to impose restrictions on the unscrupulous jeep operators.
Owing to the misbehaviour and exploitation, a section of the pilgrims often opt the Erumely-Pampa route, which forces them to undertake a 100 km journey, by wasting time and money.
Record chain service: The KSRTC Pampa bus station operated a record number of 4,500 schedules till Monday as against 3,800 service during the same period last season, RTC Pampa special officer Easter Yashica said.