Thiruvananthapuram: After being off the roads for a long period, 23 KSRTC electric buses procured by the city corporation will resume services on interior city routes from Saturday, offering relief to commuters in several underserved areas. Mayor V V Rajesh announced the decision on Wednesday after talks with transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar.The buses will be introduced in phases across 23 routes suggested by councillors. The first service will be flagged off at 7.30am on Saturday from Kodunganoor ward, covering the Kulashekharam–Kodunganoor–Thittamangalam–Kundamankadavu–Kuruvikkadu stretch. More services will begin on subsequent days. The electric buses will mainly operate during morning and evening peak hours, focusing on interior roads that currently lack KSRTC connectivity. Rajesh said the services were revived following discussions that resolved a dispute between the corporation and KSRTC over bus operations. The row was triggered after the mayor objected to the buses being operated outside Thiruvananthapuram. He said circular services through interior routes had been introduced earlier when Antony Raju was transport minister but were later withdrawn, and fares increased, after Ganesh Kumar assumed charge. Under the renewed arrangement, KSRTC will continue to set fares. Some routes proposed by councillors were found unviable by KSRTC officials and will be revised. Additional services are expected in the next phase, the mayor said. Stray dog shelter issue: Rajesh also addressed protests against the stray dog rehabilitation centre at Poovar, describing the agitation as politically motivated. The shelter has functioned for eight years and previously housed 137 dogs. The corporation recently shifted 50 more stray dogs there on a trial basis, after which protests intensified, he said.He maintained that the shelter operates legally with all required approvals, including clearance from the animal welfare board and is managed by a private individual following verification of land and documents. The facility spans one acre, with only two houses near its boundary wall. No additional dogs will be shifted to Poovar for now. While public protests are natural, the corporation will respond through legal channels if necessary, the mayor said.
