Meeting a long-pending demand of the people, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSTRC) will operate services from its own depot in Kumily from August 17.
Kumily grama panchayat president V.Ponraj said that this decision was taken at a meeting of the KSRTC depot authorities, non-governmental organisations and people’s representatives convened at the panchayat hall recently. Under the agreement, the depot will be refurbished and facilities made for commuters. He said that the move would considerably ease the pressure on the private bus stand near the Tamil Nadu border.
The KSRTC recently started many long-route services from Kumily and it will help both tourists and Sabarimala pilgrims, especially those from outside the State.
Mr. Ponraj said that it was the demand of the people from the time of starting the depot operations to begin services from there. But due to various reasons, it was not done and a portion of the private bus stand was allotted for the KSRTC services.
The main hindrance to starting services from the depot was that there was no approach road. Though land was acquired at the time of starting the depot, the road was not laid. The panchayat took the initiative to construct the road and it was tarred recently to facilitate the services. The authorities gave the green signal and the meeting finally agreed to start the services from the depot, renaming it as the KSRTC bus stand-cum-depot.
Mr. Ponraj said that it was decided to make arrangements for a resting place, room for announcements and facilities for the staff. The panchayat will ensure drinking water supply.
Source: The Hindu
