KSRTC Announces 1,022 Buses for Sabarimala Pilgrimage Season
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced special bus services for the upcoming Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. In the first phase, KSRTC will operate 461 buses during the Mandala Pooja period and 561 buses during the Makaravilakku festival. Additional buses will be arranged on a lease basis depending on the increase in pilgrim traffic.
The special services will be introduced in phases, connecting various KSRTC depots and major pilgrimage centres. Buses will operate from Pampa, Nilakkal, Chengannur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Erumely, Thiruvananthapuram Central, Ernakulam, Kumily, Kottarakkara, Punalur, Adoor, Thrissur, Guruvayur and Kayamkulam.
At Nilakkal, 180 buses will be deployed during the Mandala Pooja period, increasing to 220 during Makaravilakku. Chengannur will have 60 buses during Mandala Pooja and 80 during Makaravilakku, while Kottayam will have 50 and 60 buses, respectively.
KSRTC will also deploy additional staff to ensure smooth operations. A total of 678 employees will be assigned during the Mandala Pooja period and 778 during Makaravilakku. The workforce will include drivers, conductors, inspectors, mechanics, office staff and security personnel.
Meanwhile, KSRTC has initiated steps to arrange chartered trips for Sabarimala pilgrims and introduce online reservation facilities to make travel more convenient during the pilgrimage season.