The Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) has asked the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to go ahead with its prototype of bus, readied with enhanced safety features and comfort as per the new bus body-building code that comes into effect from October 1.
The prototype of a new bus worked out at the central workshop of the KSRTC at Pappanamcode.
A three-member team from the CIRT, a Central undertaking under the Ministry of Shipping and Transport, inspected the prototype worked out as per the new norms at the central workshop of the KSRTC at Pappanamcode here. The team expressed satisfaction with the work and asked the KSRTC officials to complete the remaining 40 per cent work, a top KSRTC official told.
The CIRT personnel had a detailed interaction with the engineer and the mechanics on how to adhere to the code and to finalise the prototype as per the Automotive Industry Standards (AIS) specifications.
The flaws in the prototype were pointed out and steps to rectify them were worked out.
The prototype will be taken to the CIRT in two weeks for the final inspection ahead of the mandatory certification, a top official in the technical wing said. Once the first bus built at the central workshop as per the new code is approved, the KSRTC will be able to roll out buses from other four regional units at Mavelikara, Aluva, Edappal, and Kozhikode.
The Centre had asked the States to ensure that only buses that adhere to the body-building norms as per Rule 125(1) be allowed to be registered from April 1. Following bus operators’ demand, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways extended the deadline by six months.
120 buses a month
The KSRTC’s central workshop and the regional workshops have the capacity to roll out 120 buses every month. Accreditation would be obtained from the CIRT for the regional workshops also, the official said.
