Several AC and non-AC buses are lying idle at the Ernakulam depot as the KSRTC is yet to pay pending bills to the company which sources these buses. This is at a time when the state government is planning to purchase 120 new buses under JNNURM for the state.

Currently, 13 AC and non-AC buses are lying idle at the KSRTC Ernakulam depot alone and sources cite that there are pending bills upto `70 lakh which is yet to be paid to VISTA, the company which sources the buses.

 

VISTA officials confirmed that they are yet to receive the full amount from the KSRTC. “Till a few weeks ago, the situation was so severe that the KSRTC had to remit more than `1 crore. The maintenance of these buses were impossible. We had stopped repairing of all AC and non-AC buses under the JNNURM scheme because this would only add to the amount KSRTC has to remit. However, following repeated reminders, they have paid nearly `40 lakh and we are hoping to receive yet another `30 lakh in the coming days. So, we have started repairing their buses,” officials with VISTA said. The situation was the same in Thiruvananthapuram depot till a few days ago. However, the repair works have resumed there, officials with the KSRTC said.

Meanwhile, the tussle between the KSRTC and the Civil Supplies Department has resulted in acute shortage of diesel supply for KSRTC buses in the city.

“Owing to the payment issues, the Civil Supplies Department has blocked the diesel supply for KSRTC. At the moment, we have

received a word that we will be allowed to fill fuel from the Supplyco pumps at Pallimukku and opposite Ernakulathappan ground. The payment bottlenecks have to be resolved from Thiruvananthapuram,” KSRTC officials said.\

New Indian Express

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