KOCHI: The formation of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which was once denied the launching of hi-tech low-floor A/C buses in the city is likely to be taken up with renewed vigour. With the UDF regaining power of the state, the Corporation Council in which the UDF has the majority is planning to approach the government to form a SPV for controlling the operation of low-floor A/C buses and semi-low floor buses in the city. The buses were introduced as part of the Public Transport project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).At present, 35 A/C Volvo buses and 34 semi-low floor buses are being operated by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).“The buses are now fully operated by the KSRTC. They are sidelining the Kochi Corporation, ignoring the fact that it was for the civic body that the funds were allotted from the JNNURM,” said a Corporation official.The official said that as per the JNNURM guidelines, it is mandatory to form an SPV for running these buses in the city. “The biggest tragedy is that at present the elected representatives of the local body do not have a say in deciding the routes of these buses. The majority of the buses which were allotted to resolve the travelling woes of the city are plying to the suburbs,” he said.The official said that the civic body would soon approach the state government to re-consider the issue and take necessary steps to make sure that a SPV is constituted for controlling the operation of JNNURM buses.Meanwhile, the KSRTC will soon commence bus service in the Thevara-Aluva route via Vallarpadom four-lane highway. Four buses, including two Volvo A/C low-floor buses and Thiru Kochi buses each, will be introduced in the route on May 31 which will be celebrated as Bus Day.Though the new route will be longer than the existing Palarivattom-Edappally route by two km, it is expected to save at least 20 minutes.There are plans to start the services to Mattancherry and Fort Kochi too. The Road Transport Authority (RTA) will soon give permit for these services. The KSRTC has already taken the decision to roll out 100 buses in Kochi. According to the affidavit filed by the state government before the Kerala High Court, there were only 50 more city permits left in Kochi. After the introduction of Thiru Kochi services, the number has decreased further. So the KSRTC plans to start new services in lieu of the permits of private buses that have expired.
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