Thousands among the travelling public in the Elipode region, off Vattiyoorkavu, are in dire straits for quite some time.
The only KSRTC city bus service which plied in the belt is off the road since November last year. People living in around 1,000 houses in the area are now depending on various other modes of transport, not to mention commuters from Kattakkada belt, who come in large numbers to do odd jobs in Vattiyoorkavu area.
The woes of the public in the area have got translated into anger itself, for, the service which has been cancelled now had been operational for the past 26 years without a break.
“The service was a great help to residents of Elipode, Koothroad, Malamar and Arappura, as they have no other public means to travel. The services were scheduled according to the office hours. So, they were always fully packed. We have approached the District Transport Officer (DTO) several times demanding restoration of the service, but nothing has been done so far,’’ said P Jayakumar, secretary, Souhruda Residents’ Association.
Elipode is five kilometres away from Sasthamangalam and 3 kilometres from Vattiyoorkkavu. Most of its residents are ordinary people who rely on public transport. Students and workers now find it hard to reach schools and offices on time.
KSRTC has been operating the service for the past 26 years. It had called off the service once two years ago, but restored it in March 2012, only to halt the trips again in November 2012. The reason cited by the KSRTC for cancelling the service is shortage of drivers.
“We had been relying on the service for more than 20 years. Students used to depend on the trip at 8.15 am and employees made the best out of the 9.30 am trip from here. The bus was always on time also. But ever since it was pulled out, we have to walk at least one kilometre till Valiyavila to catch a bus. There are two private buses plying through the route. But we cannot rely on them as they have an erratic schedule and their timings don’t fit with office or school timings,” said Sheela, a government employee from Elipode.
The KSRTC bus, starting from East Fort, used to cover Sasthamangalam, Vattiyoorkavu, Arappura and Elipode areas. Seven schedules were operated a day, among which five were during peak office hours. The first service of the day reached Elipode by 6 am. There were two more services that reached the area by 8 am and 9.30 am. The last service arrived at Elipode by 7.30 pm.
“The services were always fully packed. Some conspiracy must be there behind the decision to stall a service which was running very successfully. We suspect it as a move to help the private buses operating on the route,” said Sasikumar, who is one among those in the forefront of the attempt to reinstate the service.
The Residents’ Association had submitted a petition to the Chief Minister’s Public Grievance Redressal Cell also, on June 27.
The residents are pinning all their hopes on the petition now, along with attempts to rope in K Muraleedharan MLA, representing the Vattiyoorkavu segment, which comprises the Elipode belt, for a solution.
Source: New Indian Express
