KOZHIKODE: Though the KSRTC has opened its administrative block and garage at Mega Bus Terminal Complex on Mavoor Road, a majority of its buses still depend on the workshop at Pavangad for repairs, causing massive losses, according to employees. The garage has space to accommodate only seven buses forcing it to go to Pavangad for weekly and daily maintenance. The parking space for vehicles also is inadequate at the terminal, forcing a majority of them to run 16 km every day wasting much diesel. KSRTC zonal manager Joshy John told DC that the corporation was exploring ways to reduce the losses. “Discussions are on to shift the workshop to Nadakkavu,” he said.
The KSRTC employees have lost their faith in the facilities available at the KSRTC terminal. Though owned by the corporation, now it has to go elsewhere for its ‘day to day’ operations. The mega terminal complex constructed on build operate transfer (BOT) model by Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC) is yet to lease its commercial spaces out due to legal disputes. The city corporation has not issued the license to the building as KTDFC failed to ensure prior permission for the building plan. The cost of the project started in 2009 had overrun from Rs 53 crore to Rs 65 crore. The terminal consists of the main building with two towers having 11 floors each housing the bus station, garage, shopping complex, offices, buildings and the basement meant for parking.
