The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is gearing up to adopt the new Bus Body Building Code and roll out buses from its five body-building units in the State as per the new norms and enhanced safety features.
The first KSRTC bus built in the Central Works at Pappanamcode in the capital as per the specifications of the AIS (Automotive Industry Standards) 052: Code of Practice for Bus Body Design & App will be ready in two weeks. Later, the fast passenger bus will be taken to the Central Institute of Road Transport, (CIRT), Pune, for approval.
Speaking to media over telephone from Pune on Wednesday, Chairman and Managing Director, KSRTC, Antony Chacko said the approval of the CIRT is needed for going ahead with body building at the Central Works. Mr. Chacko and General Manager R. Sudhakaran are at the CIRT, a Central undertaking under the Ministry of Shipping and Transport and the Association of State Road Transport Undertakings, to expedite the steps to get the approval. CIRT officials are expected to visit the Central Works in two to three weeks and certify the jig and fixture.
“Once jig and fixture is certified by the CIRT, we can replicate the standardised specifications in the other four KSRTC body-building units,” he said. The Centre has not yet notified any date so far for Public Sector Road Transport Undertakings and Corporations, including the KSRTC, for implementing the Bus Body Building Code.
The KSRTC has already started rolling out buses with the safety features cited in the code published by the Automotive Research Association of India. “We are well equipped and had taken steps long time ago for this,” Mr. Chacko said.
The KSRTC’s central workshop and the regional workshops at Mavelikara, Aluva, Edappal, and Kozhikode have the capacity to roll out 120 buses every month.
Officials from the Central Institute of Road Transport, Pune, to visit Pappanamcode unit
