Title - KSRTC blames KMRL for parking woes

KOCHI: Almost a year after the Metro Rail had taken over some portions of the KSRTC� land for carrying out its construction work, the Kerala State Road Transport Employees Association (KSRTEA) members blame the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) officials for not fulfilling their promise of providing a completely furnished parking place in return. “At the moment, the Metro Rail has given us a slushy piece of land to park our buses. With the rains, the entire place becomes messy, making it difficult for the drivers and conductors to enter the bus, especially during the night hours. We had called a one-day strike last season. Because of this, the MetroRail officials had promised that they would do the necessary works such as tarring. They have not yet implemented it,” KSRTEA district secretary T P Venu said. Though the KMRL had filled� the land and given it to the KSRTC, they had failed to complete the work, Venu said. According to him, at least 100 buses park at the place on a daily basis. The employees suggest that once the rainy season begins, it will become difficult for them to maintain their buses.” On Monday, two buses skidded into the slimy area at the station after heavy rains hit Ernakulam on Sunday night. “We may soon stage a protest if no measures are taken,” Venu added. � The KSRTC officials say that the Corporation had spent about `20 lakh to set up the entire area. A KMRL official said, “Proceedings in this direction are in progress. We did not expect the sudden rain. The work on these areas will commence soon.”