The e-buses do not belong solely to the city corporation: K B Ganesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar on Wednesday rejected Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation Mayor V V Rajesh's claim that the 113 electric buses operating under the Smart City project belong solely to the civic body.

A day after the mayor objected to the operation of the e-buses outside city limits, the minister said the vehicles could be returned within 24 hours if the mayor submitted a written request in this regard.

Speaking to reporters, Kumar emphasised that the 113 electric buses under the Smart City project could not be claimed as exclusive property of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. He explained that the initiative is jointly funded by the Centre, the state government, and the city corporation.

"If the Central and state governments contributed 500 crore rupees each, the city corporation spent 135.7 crore rupees. Moreover, the corporation's funds also come from the state exchequer. Therefore, over 60 per cent of the project cost was borne by the state government," the minister said, adding that the e-buses were procured as part of the project's implementation.

Apart from these, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) independently purchased an additional 50 electric buses, which are also operating in the city. Kumar clarified that the corporation has no role in matters related to buses procured directly by KSRTC.

The minister further said that the electric buses under the Smart City project were introduced based on an agreement involving the state government, Smart City authorities, the city corporation, and KSRTC-SWIFT.

"As per the rules, the mayor only chairs the advisory committee related to the vehicles. KSRTC is responsible for the entire maintenance of the buses, and the drivers and conductors are also deployed by the corporation," he said.

Kumar also claimed that the e-buses were running at a loss when he assumed office but have since turned profitable due to systematic efforts.

His remarks came a day after newly elected BJP Mayor Rajesh objected to the operation of the city corporation's electric buses outside Thiruvananthapuram limits.

Meanwhile, CPI M strongly criticised the mayor's decision to recall the buses, calling it politically motivated and unnecessary.