Alappuzha: Monday turned out to be a landmark day for the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), with the Alappuzha district registering its highest-ever single-day revenue. The district’s seven depots together earned ₹89.06 lakh, surpassing all previous collection records.

Chengannur depot led the collection with an impressive ₹32 lakh followed by Alappuzha depot at ₹17.14 lakh and Cherthala at ₹11.90 lakh. Kayamkulam collected ₹9.55 lakh, Haripad ₹7.92 lakh, Mavelikkara ₹5.98 lakh and Edathua ₹4.57 lakh.

Officials attributed Chengannur’s strong performance largely to special bus services operated in connection with the Sabarimala pilgrimage. During the Mandala season, Chengannur depot traditionally records the highest earnings after Pamba. The post-Christmas travel rush and the fact that it was a Monday further boosted passenger numbers. Several additional buses were also pressed into service on the day.

Depot-wise revenue (in lakhs)

Chengannur32
Alappuzha17.14
Cherthala11.90
Kayamkulam9.55
Haripad7.92
Mavelikkara5.98
Edathua4.57

 

Budget tourism outperforms targets

KSRTC’s Budget Tourism Cell (BTC) also recorded a robust performance on Monday, earning ₹4.72 lakh from the district through leisure and pilgrimage tours. A total of 22 trips were operated on Monday, carrying 1,322 passengers.

The district BTC’s revenue target for the day had been set at ₹2.95 lakh, but this was comfortably exceeded. Chengannur depot alone contributed ₹2.04 lakh through 14 trips, with 990 passengers.

Mavelikkara depot earned ₹1.34 lakh, while Kayamkulam collected ₹90,300, Edathua ₹24,000 and Cherthala ₹18,620.

Earlier, on January 6, the BTC had earned ₹2.24 lakh, while December 29 also saw strong takings of ₹3.69 lakh.

KSRTC expanded its budget tourism initiative in 2021 with the aim of increasing non-ticket revenue. Encouraged by the recent performance, the Budget Tourism Cell plans to step up leisure and pilgrimage tours in the new year, district coordinator Shafeeq Ibrahim said.