Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has launched a special service from Kochi to Pampa this Sabarimala season. Around six buses will be waiting at the Ernakulam South Railway Station and another six will be stationed at the Ernakulam bus depot at all times. If more buses are required, the special officer posted at the railway station will contact the depot and immediate arrangements will be made.
A special 24-hour counter has been set up in the Ernakulam South Railway Station for the convenience of pilgrims taking the train. Pilgrims can also approach the separate counter at the Ernakulam KSRTC Depot. The special service will be operated in the Kochi-Kottayam-Erumeli-Pampa route. There will be a two-hour halt at Erumeli for the convenience of the pilgrims.
Pilgrims coming in groups of over 40 members can contact the KSRTC to book a bus in advance. They will be charged only for the ticket. KSRTC is also planning to make this service available to such large groups within a 20 kilometre radius of the city. They will also be charged only for the ticket.
While going to Pampa, non-pilgrims will not be allowed to travel in the bus and it will ply as a special service and while returning, the bus will run as a regular service. If the pilgrim groups want to avail the same service while returning, they can contact the KSRTC special officer at Pampa.
On the first day itself, eight buses were allotted for the service.
Source: Express Buzz