The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) management’s decision to exact 10 as fare from pilgrims for a distance of 600 metres between Pampa Triveni junction to the KSRTC bus stand has once again kicked up a controversy.
The KSRTC had implemented the high rate last year also. Pilgrims enter Sabarimala from Pampa Triveni junction. As per norms, the KSRTC is only supposed to charge minimum fare from pilgrims as the distance is less than a kilometre, official sources said.
However, bypassing these ‘norms’, the KSRTC has decided to fix Rs 10 for the short-distance journey this year, the sources said.
Scores of pilgrims visit the shrine every day. By the time they walk down the Mala through the Triveni bridge, most of the older ones are too tired to walk the distance to the stand. That is why the devotees board KSRTC buses to get down at the stand. Charging such an extravagant amount from pilgrims is illegal.
Based on requests and complaints forwarded by pilgrims, The Human rights commission orders to decrease bus fare to sabarimala.
