Piravom: The KSRTC’s Piravom depot in Ernakulam district is facing severe neglect from the authorities. After withdrawing several long-distance services from Piravom and handing over the buses to other depots, the higher-ups in KSRTC have now transferred a profit-making mini-bus to another depot.

The service of the mini-bus connected crucial destinations such as the Chinmaya University’s campus at Onakkoor, Kottayam Medical College Hospital and Kolenchery town. As a 22-seater, the mini-bus was suitable for trips along the narrow roads in rural areas. Incidentally, the KSRTC’s mini-bus was the only bus operating to Chinmaya University, and the cancellation of the service is causing many difficulties for passengers on the route.

When Piravom depot was opened 15 years ago, it operated several long-distance services. However, most of these buses were transferred to other depots over the years, following which services to major destinations such as Bengaluru, Sulthan Bathey, Kannur-Parassinikkadavu, Ramamangalam-Guruvayur and Muvattupuzha-Kozhikode were withdrawn.

Adding to the misery of passengers from Piravom, private buses operating on these routes also ceased their services as the transport authorities took over their permits.

Ironically, Piravom is being ignored by the authorities while allotting new buses and routers to other depots, even when it has the second-largest bus depot by area in the Ernakulam district. Currently, the three-acre depot is used only to park the buses conducting chain services from early morning to evening. The depot lacks other facilities, such as a diesel bunk.