Anna Ben, Pauly Valsan celebrate as Goshree islands in Kerala get long-pending bus connectivity

Kochi, Kerala: After two decades of waiting, private buses from the Goshree islands here have finally been granted access to Kochi city. Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar flagged off the first four private buses at Goshree Junction on Thursday, marking a major shift in public transport for island residents.

Previously, over 100 private buses operating from the islands had to terminate their trips at High Court Junction due to restrictions. With this new arrangement, commuters can now travel directly to various parts of the city without switching buses.

Why was this change long overdue?
The Goshree bridges, which connect the mainland to the islands, were commissioned two decades ago. However, despite the improved road connectivity, private buses were not permitted to enter the city. With certain city routes being nationalised, private buses could only travel up to High Court Junction, forcing passengers to switch to other modes of transport to reach their final destinations. Residents were largely dependent on a few KSRTC buses that ran limited services through the region.

Why are film stars celebrating this?
The introduction of private bus services into the city has been welcomed by residents, including film stars with roots in the region. Actress Pauly Valsan, who attended the inaugural ceremony and took part in the first journey, expressed happiness that this long-standing demand had been fulfilled. She acknowledged the community’s persistent struggles to achieve this and stated that she would now prefer taking the bus instead of using a car.

Actress Anna Ben also joined the inaugural ride, describing it as an emotional moment for the people of Vypin (part of Goshree islands). She extended her gratitude to the Chief Minister and local MLA KN Unnikrishnan for making it possible. Reflecting on her student years, she recalled the inconvenience of having to switch buses near the High Court to reach college. She emphasised the need for more buses to further ease the commuting difficulties faced by residents.

What impact will this have on commuters?
The launch of private buses into Kochi city is expected to provide major relief for daily commuters from the Goshree islands. With more direct services, travel time will be reduced, and dependency on multiple modes of transport will decrease. The move is seen as a long-awaited step towards improving public transport accessibility for island residents.