The Hindu : Front Page : `Several buses resume services in Kochi, Thrissur'

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Friday, Nov 03, 2006
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`Several buses resume services in Kochi, Thrissur'

Special Correspondent

Strict steps will be taken to requisition vehicles: Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the indefinite strike called by owners of lorry and private buses entered the fourth day on Thursday, several private buses resumed service in Kochi and Thrissur, Minister for Transport Mathew T. Thomas said here on Thursday.

Mr. Thomas, who reviewed the steps taken by officials of the district administration, the police and the Transport Department all over the State to counter the strike, told presspersons that various organisations, including those in Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod, had expressed their willingness to resume bus services.

As many as 800 Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses garaged owing to shortage of spare parts would start service within three days. The Finance Department had sanctioned Rs.5 crore for buying the parts, he said.

As many as 200 tanker lorries were seized in Kochi and 1,409 kilolitres of petrol and diesel distributed to avert fuel shortage.

Steps had been taken to avoid shortage of aviation fuel in Nedumbassery, Kozhikode and Mangalore airports and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).

District collectors, regional transport officers and the police would take stringent steps to requisition vehicles under the provisions of the Kerala Requisition and Acquisition of Properties Act, 1991. There was no scarcity of vegetables and other essential items. Free movement of vehicles transporting milk too had been ensured.

Since the truck workers had called off their strike, the Government would utilise their service to run the seized vehicles. Temporary permits would be issued to all applicants.

Since Thiruvananthapuram was a notified area with nationalised routes, the private bus operators should operate services without delay.

The Government would give protection to private bus operators who resumed service. Private buses were pelted with stones at Koduvally in Kozhikode, and Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had promised action against those attacking buses which had resumed service, he said.

Mr. Thomas said the Government had taken all possible steps to avert the strike.

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