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A dispute has surfaced between the Kerala Transport Department and Thiruvananthapuram Corporation over the ownership and operation of 113 electric buses introduced under the Smart City project. The Transport Minister clarified that the buses were jointly funded by the Centre, the state government, and the city corporation, with the state bearing the majority of the cost. The civic body has raised objections to buses being operated outside city limits and has asked KSRTC to follow the original service agreement and profit-sharing terms.
A disagreement has emerged over the control and operation of 113 electric buses introduced in Thiruvananthapuram under the Smart City programme. The issue came to the fore after the newly elected mayor of the city corporation questioned the use of these buses beyond municipal limits and sought their exclusive deployment within the city. Advertisement
Responding to the concerns, Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar clarified that the electric buses were not the sole property of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. He stated that the fleet was procured through a joint funding arrangement involving the central government, the Kerala government, and the city corporation, with the state contributing more than 60 per cent of the total project cost. On this basis, the minister said the state government has a substantial stake in how the buses are utilised.
The minister added that if the corporation formally submits a written request, the buses could be handed back within 24 hours. He also explained that the buses are operated by KSRTC-SWIFT as per the agreement signed between the Smart City authorities, the transport department, KSRTC, and the civic body, under which KSRTC is responsible for operations and maintenance.
The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has maintained that the buses were meant to strengthen public transport within city limits and has objected to reports of vehicles being parked at KSRTC depots outside the city. The mayor has also asked KSRTC to strictly follow the terms of the operating agreement, including the revenue-sharing arrangement with the corporation.
The electric buses were introduced as part of the city's Smart City mobility plan to promote cleaner public transport and reduce dependence on diesel-run services. While the project has improved fleet quality and passenger experience, the current dispute has raised questions over operational jurisdiction and accountability among the agencies involved.
Source PTI
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