Goshree islanders under the aegis of Goshree Manushyavakasa Samrakshana Samiti, a forum for the protection of human rights, took out a protest march to the district transport office and held a brief demonstration in front of the office demanding that the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) restore the discontinued Thirukochi bus services.
The protesters, carrying replicas of Goshree bridges and KSRTC buses, also submitted a memorandum to the transport officer present outlining their grievances. Forum chairman Paul Mampilly claimed that the KSRTC had introduced 22 Thirukochi bus services initially. However, there are only six now.
Though more than 100 private buses conduct services via Goshree bridges, all of them terminate services at High Court Junction, forcing the islanders to change bus to reach city destinations, said Mr. Mampilly. According to him, KSRTC services were introduced after relentless protest by the islanders after the Goshree bridges were opened in 2004.
However, they were discontinued for no apparent reason, he said, adding that the services scheduled on the Cherai beach route too had been discontinued.
Besides, the number of services from Kakkanad was brought down.
Meanwhile, a senior KSRTC official said the complaint raised by the islanders would be looked into.
He added that at present only services from the Ernakulam depot were being operated on the Goshree route. Those from depots like Piravom, North Paravur, and Kodungalloor have also been brought down, the official added.
He said that the zonal office of the KSRTC would be appraised of the situation.
Ro-Ro service
The Fort Vypeen Janakeeya Koottayma demanded that the second ro-ro jankar service be introduced immediately between Vypeen and Fort Kochi.
Forum chairman Majnu Komath said a dharna would be organised in front of the office of the Kochi Corporation on December 15 to highlight the demand.
