KOCHI: Though the KSRTC had planned inauguration of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Office for JNNURM buses at Thevara on November 1, the Corporation is likely to miss the deadline. At a meeting held here last month.
KSRTC managing director Antony Chacko had expressed confidence that the SPV – Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) instituted by the KSRTC to operate JNNURM buses in the state will be set up on November 1. However, the delay in receiving Central funds to finance the project has put a poke on the KSRTC’s plans.As per reports, the dilly-dallying by the state government to submit papers to the Centre has delayed the procedure. “The state government is equally responsible to source funds to set up the SPV. However, it is learnt that the government has not submitted the papers in this regard to the Central government yet,” sources said. Antony Chacko affirmed the same and said that unless the money is sanctioned, the SPV cannot be formally set up.
The KSRTC plans to operate all city-based JNNURM AC and Non AC low floor buses from Thevara bus stand. The stand has a three-way garage, a station master’s cabin, other administrative offices and restroom for employees.
“The work is almost complete. Since we mainly plan to operate JNNURM buses from here, the inauguration of the stand will be held once we receive the Central government funds so that the office of the SPV can also start functioning,” said Antony Chacko.
The KSRTC had formed the Kerala Urban Transport Corporation, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the operation of the existing and soon-to-be-purchased JNNURM buses in the state. The KSRTC came under attack for its failure to form the SPV for the past four years since the state received its first AC and Non-AC low floor buses under the JNNURM scheme.
The New Indian Express
