KSRTC runs out of spare parts

The Ernakulam depot of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation is left high and dry with inadequate spare parts to carry out the repair and maintenance works of the buses.

“There is heavy shortage of the much-needed spare parts in the depot. We have tendered a request to the KSRTC headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram regarding the heavy shortage of gadgets here through the officials, but nothing has been done about it until now. We are still reeling under heavy shortage of the materials, because of which most of the services are at present running without much repair,” KSRTEA district general secretary Venu said.

At least five to 10 buses at the depot had to be pushed to the garage, because their condition has grown worse. This has affected the running of a few long-distance services from the depot, Venu said.

Recently replying to a submission in the Assembly Transport Minister Aryadan Mohammad had ruled out any shortage of spareparts in the KSRTC.

However, the employees allege that the Transport Minister’s stand is just a farce. “If that is the case, then where are the spare parts inspite of the demand?,” they ask.

The spare parts are sent to the depots concerned based on the requirements. It has been more than a month since our request for more spare parts have been made,” he said.

Fitness Certificate

Meanwhile, at least three to five ThiruKochi services are being cancelled on a daily basis owing to the delay in receiving the fitness certificates.

According to employees, the examination for the fitness certificates of the Thirukochi services were supposed to start nearly a month ago. Since the officials delayed the process, all the buses are being forced to send for examination at the same time.

“The officials are in a hurry to complete the examination for giving away the fitness certificate. Because of this, many services are being cancelled on a daily basis,” employees said.

Ernakulam ATO K Venugopal said that almost all the Thirukochi services have received their fitness certificate. “ The problem will soon be resolved,” he said.