Times News NetworkThiruvananthapuram: KSRTC will set up a full-fledged tourism division, transport minister C P John said at the launch of the corporation’s Lakshadweep and Hyderabad tour packages. The Lakshadweep package marks KSRTC’s foray into air-linked tourism. The first batch of 10 tourists left the city for Kochi, from where they will fly to Lakshadweep. The tours are organized by KSRTC’s Budget Tourism Cell. John also said the corporation would tie up with the water transport department to operate solar-powered boats, leased from Cial, on the Parvathy Puthanar Canal from Sept 30. “The possibility of starting Bharat Darshan tours under KSRTC’s leadership will also be explored. By coordinating the water transport department with KSRTC, a range of tourism packages will be developed,” he said. KSRTC offers four-day and three-day Lakshadweep packages and three-day and two-day Hyderabad tours. The Lakshadweep package, priced at Rs 30,000, begins with a flight from Kochi and includes visits to Agatti and Kalpitti Islands. It covers the entry permit, airport transfers, accommodation and meals. Scuba diving and parasailing are charged extra. “We have a tie-up with IndiGo airlines for 10 seats per trip. There are bookings for 10 trips till Jan,” a KSRTC official said. Bidhin Gopan, a software engineer travelling to Lakshadweep with his father, said: “We decided to opt for the island tour because the experience of travelling with KSRTC tours was good when we visited Gavi. The coordination is good and the packages are good.” KSRTC has also revamped the software used by its budget tourism cell. Passengers will now be able to book tickets online, and the upgraded system introduces a waiting list similar to that of railways. The minister said the scheme allowing KSRTC buses to be leased had received an encouraging response. He added that he would allocate money from his MLA fund to provide two buses for Thiruvananthapuram district. KSRTC has also begun discussions on taking part in cargo movement from Vizhinjam port, for which trucks will be hired, he said. The minister also presented gifts to the 10 travellers selected for the first Lakshadweep trip, and to employees and units that delivered outstanding performance at the state level in July and August.
