KSRTC Pampa Services Disrupted for Two Hours Due to Diesel Shortage
 |
| Pampa KSRTC bus station File Photo |
Pathanamthitta: KSRTC’s special bus services to Pampa faced disruption due to a diesel shortage at the Pathanamthitta depot, affecting services for Sabarimala pilgrims during the ongoing Kanni month pilgrimage.
No bus was sent to Pampa from the depot between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm yesterday due to the shortage. The Pathanamthitta depot also supplies fuel to buses operating from the Ranni, Konni, Pathanapuram and Erumeli depots.
The depot requires around 3,000 to 4,000 litres of diesel per day. The Sabarimala temple opened for the Kanni month pooja on Wednesday. A total of 15 buses from Pathanamthitta and 40 buses from Chengannur have been allocated for Pampa special services.
As the Chengannur KSRTC depot is currently closed for building construction, all Pampa special buses from Chengannur have reportedly been instructed to refuel at Pathanamthitta.
The depot had around 3,000 litres of diesel yesterday morning, which was used to refuel buses that arrived earlier in the day. Buses arriving after 10 am could not be refuelled, resulting in the temporary suspension of Pampa services between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm.
KSRTC staff informed pilgrims about the situation. Depot authorities subsequently contacted the chief office and arranged for 12,000 litres of diesel to be supplied. However, the tanker carrying the fuel from Ernakulam was expected to take some time to reach Pathanamthitta.
Meanwhile, a bus with sufficient fuel was arranged to operate up to Nilakkal. By around 12:30 pm, a Pampa-bound bus from Chengannur arrived at the depot, following which a large number of Ayyappa devotees boarded the bus.