PPP project under consideration to develop KSRTC's Thamarassery depot
A public private partnership (PPP) project is under consideration for the development of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC) Thamarassery depot in Kozhikode district as part of improving the rural and inter-district services. Preparation of the masterplan will begin soon, which will also address the immediate renovation requirements.
Action comes in the wake of a discussion initiated recently by M.K. Muneer, MLA, and local administrators with Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar. A team of experts comprising architects, people's representatives, and officials representing the Public Works department has already visited the proposed spot to understand the requirements and plans suitable for speedy execution.
To improve revenue
KSRTC officials said the depot, located in a one-acre spread compound, can be developed with superior facilities for the passengers and the bus crew to improve the corporation's revenue from the rural area. They also said that the depot is now managing over 30 successful services with limited staff amid all development crises, including very old buildings and pending renovation works.
Thamarassery grama panchayat authorities said that the Thamarassery depot stands second in generating better income from rural bus services in the district. According to them, there were initially over 40 services which were cut short citing shortage of conductors and drivers. The depot is now functioning in a 45-year old building, they added.
'Our proposal is to approve a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) project in PPP model, which can be implemented within a year if the State government and the KSRTC are extending full cooperation. A two-storey building with underground workshop for maintenance works is what we seek with the finalisation of the masterplan,' said Thamarassery grama panchayat president A. Aravindan. He also hopes that corporate social responsibility funds from some organisations will further support the project.
Services reinstated
Following the local administrators' request, some of the previously suspended long distance services to Thiruvananthapuram and Guruvayur had been reinstated at the depot. The KSRTC officials said the shortage of about 25 drivers also should be addressed to resume some of the previously stopped rural services at the earliest.
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