Kerala's KSRTC Faces Crisis Amid Rising Fuel Costs and Aging Fleet
Fuel cost spike deepens KSRTC crisis in Kerala amid ageing buses and stalled recruitment

Image: Mathrubhumi English
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is grappling with a crisis due to rising diesel prices, which will add ₹10 crore monthly to its costs. With over 2,000 buses needing replacement and a recruitment freeze, the corporation struggles to maintain operations and safety standards.
- 01KSRTC spends ₹120 crore monthly, with ₹80 crore allocated for pensions and ₹50 crore for salaries.
- 02Over 2,000 of KSRTC's 4,500 buses are over 15 years old and due for scrapping.
- 03The government has provided ₹8,319 crore to KSRTC in the last five years, but only ₹165 crore was used for new bus purchases.
- 04A recruitment freeze has left KSRTC with 27,000 employees for a stagnant fleet size, impacting operational efficiency.
- 05Road safety remains a critical issue, with an average of 10 road fatalities daily in Kerala.
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The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is facing a significant crisis as rising diesel prices are set to increase operational costs by ₹10 crore monthly. The government currently spends around ₹120 crore per month to sustain KSRTC, which includes ₹80 crore for pensions and ₹50 crore for salaries. With more than 2,000 of its 4,500 buses over 15 years old and due for scrapping, the fleet's aging infrastructure poses a serious challenge. Despite the state's commitment to transition to electric buses by 2035, progress has stalled, with only 165 buses procured in 2023 and no further purchases planned. Additionally, a decade-long recruitment freeze has resulted in a workforce imbalance, with 27,000 employees managing a stagnant fleet size. This has raised concerns about operational efficiency and road safety, as Kerala experiences an average of 10 road fatalities daily. Corruption in the Motor Vehicles Department further complicates efforts to improve services and safety standards.
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The rising fuel costs and aging fleet are likely to affect public transport availability and safety in Kerala.
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