Thiruvananthapuram: Minister C P John on Friday said the Kerala government would identify routes where KSRTC and private buses run simultaneously, addressing concerns raised by private operators over the Priyadarshini project.
Last month, the state government introduced the Priyadarshini project, under which women can travel free of charge on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation ordinary buses.
Read more: Private bus operators raise concerns over Kerala's free travel scheme for women
Following the move, private bus operators alleged that their passenger collections had declined and claimed that several services had become financially unviable.
Speaking to reporters, John said that not all private bus operators had been affected by the scheme.
"Of the around 8,000 private buses operating in the state, not all are facing this issue, because KSRTC services are absent on many routes served by private buses," he said.
The minister said he had discussed the matter with CM V D Satheesan and had held a meeting with the transport commissioner earlier in the day.
"We have decided to identify the routes where KSRTC and private buses overlap. The CM has given permission for this exercise. Routes where private operators are facing difficulties due to overlapping services will be identified," he said.
Read more: Kerala to offer free bus travel for women from June 15 at Rs 800 crore yearly cost
Asked about private bus operators threatening to go on strike, John said they were free to stage protests.
Responding to another query, the minister said that the waste dumped by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation on KSRTC land at Enchakkal would be cleared soon and that the land would be put to other use.
