Overview
- Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar rejected Mayor V.V. Rajesh’s claim that the e‑buses were procured under a Central scheme, stating the state covered about 60% of costs with a Rs 500 crore share.
- He said KSRTC would send back all 113 Corporation‑linked e‑buses within 24 hours if the mayor writes to the KSRTC CMD, with KSRTC ready to deploy 150 buses in the city.
- The minister cited complex maintenance needs as the reason buses are not run outside the district, noting a damaged battery can cost Rs 28 lakh to replace, and said returned buses could not be parked on KSRTC premises.
- Earlier, the new BJP mayor ordered that Corporation‑allotted e‑buses operating outside city limits be recalled to city routes, alleging political pressure and pointing to a bus found at the Neyyattinkara KSRTC garage.
- Rajesh also launched an inquiry into alleged irregular leasing of Corporation properties, as CPI(M) leaders, including V. Sivankutty, criticized his moves and related disputes flared over office space occupied by CPI(M) MLA V.K. Prasanth.