In view of the mounting complaints about the condition of buses operating to Gavi, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has implemented a new protocol to ensure the roadworthiness of vehicles deployed under its Budget Tourism Cell (BTC) for trips to the destination, located deep inside the Sabarimala forests.
The step follows an incident on April 17 when a KSRTC BTC bus carrying 38 tourists from Chadayamangalam to Gavi broke down in a remote location near Moozhiyar. Although a replacement bus was dispatched, it too suffered a technical failure shortly after reaching the stranded tourists, leaving them stuck in the forest for several hours.
To prevent such occurrences, the KSRTC has mandated that BTC buses from various depots now report to the Pathanamthitta depot, where tourists will be transferred to a designated set of vehicles. These buses will be operated by a team of drivers who are also trained mechanics.
“This is to ensure that no BTC buses get stranded inside the forest. In such a situation arises, they can attend to basic technical issues immediately,” said a KSRTC official.
The move also coincides with a circular issued by the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) warning BTC staff of strict disciplinary action if such lapses recur. The circular outlines five key guidelines including thorough inspection in advance for the buses to be deployed to Gavi.
In the event of a breakdown or any hurdle during the journey, the BTC staff must immediately inform the control room and the district coordinator. Similarly, any assistance required must be sought from unit officers or other KSRTC authorities, not left to chance.
“Under no circumstance should tourists be forced to lodge complaints directly with officials. The BTC staff must communicate politely, pacify the tourists and clearly explain the situation along with steps being taken to address it,’’ it adds.
Despite these new measures, yet another breakdown was reported on Friday from Pathanamthitta. An ordinary KSRTC bus carrying 35 passengers to Kumily via Gavi developed a gear malfunction near Moozhiyar Valve House around 9.30 a.m. Passengers were left waiting for nearly two hours in the dense forest before the issue was resolved by the driver of a passing BTC bus.
Beyond mechanical issues, travellers along the Gavi route face additional challenges such as poor mobile connectivity and the presence of wild animals, including elephants. When buses break down in such areas, passengers are often left stranded for hours without means of communication, triggering serious safety concerns.
Published – May 24, 2025 06:09 pm IST
