KSRTC to Deploy 1,000 Buses for Makaravilakku Day at Sabarimala

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will deploy 1,000 buses on Makaravilakku day to ensure smooth travel for pilgrims visiting Sabarimala. Orders to this effect have been issued.

Of the total fleet, 199 buses will be operated as part of the Pampa chain service, while 801 buses will be used for other services. The KSRTC CMD has directed that all maintenance and repair work be completed on time. While the Travancore Devaswom Board had requested 800 buses, the Transport Department approved additional services considering the expected rush.

KSRTC has been operating extra services since the beginning of the Mandala- Makaravilakku season, with additional buses deployed for the Pampa chain service and for trips to and from Pampa from various depots across the state. At present, an average of 95 to 100 buses are being operated every hour from Pampa to manage the pilgrim flow.

Services have also been strengthened by streamlining the reservation system and arranging buses through the Budget Tourism Cell for pilgrims travelling in groups. Compared to previous years, these measures have helped KSRTC record an additional average revenue of 2.40 crore.