Thiruvananthapuram, 27 Sept (H.S.) :Kerala MLAs can use their constituency asset development funds to buy buses for the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) during the 2026-27 financial year, under special permission granted by the state government.

Each legislator may fund up to three buses. A Finance Department order sets out the purchase process and the arrangements for operating the vehicles. The scheme is intended to renew KSRTC’s fleet and improve transport for passengers, with priority given to the constituencies where the buses are allocated.

KSRTC’s chairman and managing director will consult the MLAs concerned before deciding the seating capacity and fuel type of the buses. By September 30, the corporation must provide interested legislators with a statement of the full purchase cost, including taxes and registration charges.

MLAs wishing to take part must submit proposals to their district collectors by October 15, confirming that they are willing to allocate the required funds. Once funding is confirmed, collectors must grant administrative sanction within seven days of receiving a proposal. The KSRTC chairman and managing director will be the implementing officer.

KSRTC will consult the respective MLAs when planning routes and services, and give priority to passengers’ needs in their constituencies. The corporation will, however, have final authority over the service category, allocation and later redeployment of the buses. It may run them as ordinary or fast passenger services, or under another category.

The order places the full cost of operating the buses on KSRTC. The corporation will pay for fuel, staff salaries, maintenance and other running expenses. MLAs will fund the purchase of the vehicles, while KSRTC will manage them once they enter service.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman