Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V V Rajesh has taken a firm stance, demanding that the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) strictly adhere to the clauses of the agreement concerning the operation of electric buses received under the Smart City project. The Mayor has stated that the city corporation's position remains unchanged and that honoring the contract is the only viable, permanent solution to the ongoing dispute.
Contractual Obligations and Profit Sharing at Core
Mayor Rajesh emphasized that according to the agreement, KSRTC is obligated to provide the corporation with its rightful share of profits generated from operating the buses. He challenged the transport department, stating that if there is no valid tripartite agreement or if they claim the contract does not exist, they should declare it openly. "Subsequently, further steps can be considered," Rajesh said, reiterating that operating the buses is not the corporation's direct responsibility under the current terms.
The issue is scheduled for discussion in the upcoming council meeting. Following this, letters will be sent to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar to formally escalate the matter and seek their intervention.
History of the Controversy and Route Violations
The controversy surrounding the 113 electric buses procured under the Smart City project first gained significant attention when the BJP came to power in the corporation. KSRTC, deeming the operation of these buses—especially on the city's narrow roads—as unprofitable, redeployed many of them to other depots outside the city limits. This rescheduling was done following the intervention of the transport minister.
The dispute was reignited when the new mayor, V V Rajesh, assumed office and took a strong stand that these buses should operate primarily within Thiruvananthapuram city limits as intended. The corporation is now demanding the immediate return of buses given to other depots.
Rajesh highlighted specific violations, stating that routes are being determined without consulting the city corporation, which is a breach of the agreement. He pointed to the terms of the pact made on February 21, 2023, between the corporation, Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited, and KSRTC, which must be followed.
A Consistent Stance Across Administrations
Mayor Rajesh also noted that this is not a new or partisan issue. He claimed that even the former mayor, Arya Rajendran, had previously highlighted the same concerns regarding KSRTC's compliance with the agreement. This continuity underscores the corporation's institutional stance on the matter.
Hence, the mayor's core demand is clear: KSRTC must unequivocally accept and implement the conditions of the agreement it signed, particularly concerning service operation within city limits and the crucial profit-sharing mechanism.
