KOCHI: The city corporation will soon launch the much-delayed Kudumbasree women bus service.
The buses are being built and the civic body has prepared a list of 15 routes in consultation with Kudumbasree Mission which was submitted to the corporation council for approval.
The RTA has to give the route permits. Some of the routes proposed are Paravoor – Kaloor, Chittoor–Mulanthuruthy, Koonammavu–Fort Kochi, Pukkattupady–Ernakulam, Eloor–Chittoor (via Menaka), High Court–Elamakkara–Aluva, Kochu Kadavanthra–Koonammavu.
The Urban Poverty Alleviation Department of the corporation will undertake the project with the support of private agencies and NGOs. Though, it was announced in the 2013 -2014 annual budget, it was delayed for several reasons.
“Initially, there will be men staff in the buses to assist the women employees. Later, the service will be exclusively owned and operated by women. Three buses have already been built. Since new routes are not being permitted, the buses have to be operated on the existing routes,” said Ms Essy Joseph, corporation welfare committee chairperson.
During the annual budget for 2013- 2014, it was announced that mini buses would be purchased for the scheme and that the women beneficiaries would get Rs 5 lakh as bank loan while the cost of a bus will be around Rs 17 lakh.
