Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V V Rajesh held a crucial meeting with Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar on Friday. The discussion centered on the ongoing controversy surrounding electric bus operations under the Smart City project.
Focus on Electric Bus Services
The meeting primarily addressed issues related to electric bus services in the city. Both sides reached an agreement to maintain the existing operational arrangement for now. Mayor Rajesh stated that this discussion formed part of his regular interactions with various ministers.
Corporation's Concerns Presented
During the meeting, the mayor conveyed the corporation's views clearly. He highlighted concerns about bus routes and service patterns that affect urban commuters. However, several disputes remain unresolved despite these discussions.
Disagreements continue regarding compliance with service agreements and other contractual obligations. "As of now, it was decided to continue with the present situation," Mayor Rajesh confirmed after the meeting.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy gained momentum after the NDA came to power in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation. This political change brought renewed attention to the fleet of electric buses allocated to the city under the Smart City project.
A total of 113 electric buses were initially operated through interior city roads. Authorities later deemed these operations financially unviable. This assessment prompted Transport Minister Ganesh Kumar to intervene and redeploy the buses to other locations.
Mayor's Stand on Bus Operations
The issue resurfaced when Mayor Rajesh took a firm position. He insisted that electric buses should operate exclusively within city limits to benefit urban commuters directly. The corporation demanded immediate return of buses transferred to other depots.
Mayor Rajesh also alleged lapses in revenue sharing with the corporation. He claimed the current arrangements did not properly benefit the local governing body.
Minister's Response and Conditions
Transport Minister Ganesh Kumar responded with specific conditions. He stated that electric buses could be returned within 24 hours if the corporation made a formal request. However, he added an important caveat.
The returned buses would not be allowed to park on KSRTC premises. The minister also assured that KSRTC would deploy alternative buses in rural areas to maintain transportation services.
Corporation's Counter-Argument
Mayor Rajesh countered the minister's conditions effectively. He asserted that the corporation possessed adequate space to park the electric buses. The mayor clarified there was no intention to take the buses back under existing conditions that favored KSRTC.
The discussion highlighted fundamental differences in approach between city administration and state transport authorities. Both sides acknowledged the need for continued dialogue to find a sustainable solution for electric bus operations in Thiruvananthapuram.
