Meet to address KSRTC woes

KOCHI: District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth has said that a meeting of high-level officials and MLAs would be convened soon to find solutions to issues related to the functioning of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in Ernakulam. He was speaking at the district development council meet in Kochi. The decision has been made following complaints raised by people’s representatives regarding the transport system in the district. Senior officials from KSRTC, police and Regional Transport Office (RTO) will attend the meet, the Collector said.Hibi Eden MLA said that the diversions of KSRC buses operating in the city to other regions should be stopped. However, the department officials pointed out the shortage of conductors and drivers as the major roadblock leading to the implementation of  such a decision. The officials further said that the Employment Exchange has been alerted to recruit conductors and drivers to meet the shortage issue.Joseph Vazhakkan MLA raised another complaint regarding regular skipping of services by KSRTC buses. There is a shortage of more than 40 conductors and drivers in Moovattupuzha. He urged the authorities to take immediate action to resolve the issue. Anwar Sadath MLA also complained about KSTC buses not following regular trips in Aluva. He demanded that the District Employment Exchange should soon send its list for recruitment.The District Employment Exchange officer, who was present at the meeting, said that soon a list would be prepared by collaborating various lists from regional offices. District Collector Sheik Pareeth said that the government has been considering major initiatives including a job campaign to meet the staff shortage.