Kollam: Drivers are slipping away fearing the breath analyser test that KSRTC introduced to prevent drunk driving. This has led to disruption of services at many depots even the one in Pathanapuram, the constituency of the Transport Minister.

The drunk drivers do not come to work the next day when they learn that the Vigilance team is coming for the breath analyser test.

If the breath analyser shows a value above zero, the penalty is suspension. In the tests conducted by the police and the Motor Vehicles Department, the penalty is charged if the alcohol level in 100 millilitres of blood exceeds 30 milligrams.

The information received from the units is that drivers do not come for ‘additional duty’ as they get suspended even if they are drunk the previous day. Many depots are manned by drivers who are willing to do additional duty in addition to regular duty. After the last relocation, there is a severe shortage of drivers in many depots. Service suspension is also common in these places. 

So far, 204 employees have been suspended after undergoing the breath analyser test. More than 100 of them are drivers. In addition, 274 drivers are retiring in the month of May. With this, the shortage of drivers in the corporation will become acute. To address this, KSRTC has decided to hire retired drivers on a daily wage basis in their respective units. 

It is learned that the appointment will be made on a temporary basis without issuing a separate circular. Unit officers have been assigned for this. The units have also been directed to select ‘replacement’ drivers from the list of old M-panelled drivers.