Kochi, 23 September (H.S.):An Angamaly businessman has offered to fund a new bus for the financially strained Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), responding to an appeal by Chief Minister V D Satheesan for public support.

Jose, who runs a robotic car parking systems company, handed a cheque for the bus to the Chief Minister. Satheesan then passed it to Transport Minister Roji M John. Jose has asked that the bus be allotted to the Angamaly depot, his hometown.

Speaking to reporters, Jose said the Chief Minister’s suggestion that someone could donate a bus prompted his decision. He was aware of the government’s financial difficulties and felt he could help, he said.

“I thought it would be good to have one more bus,” Jose said, describing the contribution as a response to a worthwhile appeal.

The transport minister said this was the first time a private individual in Kerala had come forward to buy a bus for KSRTC. The corporation will assign the vehicle to the Angamaly depot in keeping with Jose’s request, he said.

The offer comes as KSRTC continues to face financial pressure despite receiving support from various quarters. The corporation’s Priyadarshini scheme, which provides free travel for women, recently completed 100 days.

The Chief Minister and the transport minister had earlier appealed for contributions, saying donated buses could be added to the KSRTC fleet. They had also suggested that privately owned buses could be made available for the corporation’s services.

Jose’s contribution gives KSRTC a new vehicle without requiring it to meet the purchase cost from its own strained finances. For the Angamaly depot, the allocation would add a bus to its fleet once the purchase and handover are completed. The government has not announced the cost of the vehicle or a date for its entry into service.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman