Electric Buses Return to Thiruvananthapuram Roads After Long Gap
In a significant development for urban mobility, 23 KSRTC electric buses that had been off the roads for an extended period will resume services on interior city routes starting this Saturday. This move promises substantial relief to commuters in several underserved areas of the capital city where public transportation connectivity has been lacking.
Mayor Announces Service Revival After Ministerial Talks
Mayor V V Rajesh made the official announcement on Wednesday following successful discussions with Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar. The decision marks the resolution of a longstanding dispute between the city corporation and KSRTC regarding bus operations that had kept these eco-friendly vehicles idle.
The controversy originally erupted when Mayor Rajesh objected to the electric buses being operated outside Thiruvananthapuram municipal limits. He recalled that similar circular services through interior routes had been introduced earlier during Antony Raju's tenure as transport minister but were subsequently withdrawn, with fares increased, after Ganesh Kumar assumed charge of the portfolio.
Phased Implementation Across 23 Suggested Routes
The electric buses will be introduced in a carefully planned phased manner across 23 routes that were specifically suggested by local councillors. The inaugural service is scheduled to be flagged off at 7:30 AM on Saturday from Kodunganoor ward, covering the important Kulashekharam–Kodunganoor–Thittamangalam–Kundamankadavu–Kuruvikkadu stretch.
Additional services will commence on subsequent days as the implementation progresses. The electric buses will primarily operate during morning and evening peak hours, strategically focusing on interior roads that currently lack proper KSRTC connectivity, thereby addressing critical transportation gaps in the city's mobility network.
Operational Details and Future Plans
Under the renewed operational arrangement, KSRTC will retain authority over fare setting for these services. During route planning discussions, KSRTC officials identified some proposed routes as commercially unviable, and these will be appropriately revised before implementation.
Mayor Rajesh indicated that additional services are expected in the next phase of the rollout, suggesting an expansion of the electric bus network once the initial implementation stabilizes. This phased approach allows for operational adjustments based on passenger response and route performance metrics.
Mayor Addresses Poovar Stray Dog Shelter Controversy
In a separate development, Mayor Rajesh also addressed ongoing protests against the stray dog rehabilitation centre at Poovar, characterizing the agitation as politically motivated. The shelter has been functioning for eight years and previously housed 137 dogs before the corporation recently shifted 50 additional stray dogs there on a trial basis, which intensified public protests.
The mayor emphasized that the shelter operates legally with all required approvals, including clearance from the animal welfare board, and is managed by a private individual following thorough verification of land and documents. The facility spans approximately one acre with only two houses located near its boundary wall.
Rajesh clarified that no additional dogs will be shifted to Poovar for the time being, and while acknowledging that public protests are natural, he stated the corporation would respond through appropriate legal channels if necessary to address the concerns raised by protesters.
