: After a gap of 24 years, bus service has been resumed on the coastal road between Paravur and Kollam city. It has reduced travel time between Kollam and Paravur, bringing relief to commuters. The distance between the two points is 13 km. But, commuters had to travel more than 24 km via Pallimukku, Kottiyam, Mylakkad, Ithikara, Chathannur along the National Highway and then through Meenad to reach Paravur. The facility has considerably mitigated the travel woes of office-goers and students from Paravur and even Boothakulam and Meenad to Kollam.
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Only one service now
As of now, there is only one private bus service, Paripally-Paravur-Kollam and back. The bus began its run last Friday. The bus, Panchami, conducts three trips, the first one from Paripally at 6.30 a.m. and reaching Kollam at 7.30 a.m. The last service for the day is from Kollam, starting at 4.50 p.m. Four more buses will be given permit to operate on the route.
Rail distance between the two places is 12 km, but only a few trains halt at Paravur.
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In the past, there was no coastal road to Paravur from Kollam. It was laid during the early 1980s and bus service was started on the initiative of the then Chathannur MLA, C.V. Padmarajan, in 1982. But the facility lasted only four years. Bus services were withdrawn in 1984 when a portion of the coastal road between Thanni and Pozhikkara was washed away by the rough seas.
Unscientific construction of the road along that stretch was cited as the cause. Much later, in 2005 the Harbour Engineering Department conducted a comprehensive study in association with the Indian Institute of Technology to revive the road. However, the road was re-laid only early this year.
Motorists said 1-km stretch from Eravipuram bridge towards Paravur was in bad condition and the heavy rains made driving difficult.
Otherwise it is a pleasant ride almost through the coastline for a good distance.