Priyadarshini buses being converted into vans as KSRTC faces shortage of spare parts vehicles

Edappal: The KSRTC is phasing out buses used under the UDF government's popular Priyadarshini scheme, which provides free travel for women, and converting some of them into vans for transporting spare parts.

As the vans currently used to transport spare parts to various depots near the end of their lifespan, the KSRTC has begun withdrawing Priyadarshini buses and modifying them for use as vans. At the Edappal Kandanakam KSRTC Regional Workshop, work has begun on removing seats from the buses to convert them into vans.

The conversion of Priyadarshini buses could limit the availability of free travel services for women. Questions have also been raised over the legal issues involved in converting buses into vans.

The lifespan of the vans used to transport spare parts from the KSRTC Central Workshop in Thiruvananthapuram to various workshops is set to expire by the end of this month. There are 96 KSRTC depots across the state.

The new move is aimed at avoiding the financial burden of purchasing new vans while ensuring that the transportation of spare parts is not disrupted. As part of this, buses brought from various depots have begun to be modified.

Priyadarshini buses operating from the Palakkad depot and other locations are being withdrawn and sent to various workshops, where their seats are removed and other modifications are carried out to convert them into vans.

However, no written order has reportedly been issued for the modifications. Converting a bus for road use as a van requires permission from the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD). The vehicle must undergo a technical inspection and obtain a fitness certificate. Changes would also have to be made to its registration certificate (RC) and insurance documents.

There are indications that the required permission has not been obtained from the MVD. Concerns have also been raised over whether insurance claims would be honoured in the event of an accident involving a modified vehicle being operated without the necessary approvals.

KSRTC says it is a temporary arrangement

KSRTC officials in Thiruvananthapuram said the corporation was taking steps to expedite the procedures for purchasing new vans. They said the conversion of buses was only a temporary arrangement to ensure that the transportation of spare parts and other related work.