The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation has launched a new Priyadarshini bus service from Muvattupuzha to rural areas in Marady and Thirumarady panchayats, addressing a longstanding public transport shortage in parts of Ernakulam district.
The women-friendly service will provide free travel for women as part of the Priyadarshini scheme. The route connects Muvattupuzha with Marady, Mannathoor and Vadakara, bringing the two panchayats into a wider public transport network.
The service is expected to benefit women and girl students in particular, while also supporting traders, workers and other residents who depend on buses for access to education, employment and local markets. The source report said residents of the area had faced travel difficulties for years because of inadequate public transport facilities.
The launch followed sustained interventions by local residents and elected representatives seeking improved connectivity for the rural areas. The new service is intended to address that demand by providing a direct KSRTC connection from Muvattupuzha through the affected localities.
Women will be able to travel free under the scheme, while the route will also be available to other passenger groups. The service’s coverage of Marady, Mannathoor and Vadakara gives residents in these areas an additional public transport option for reaching Muvattupuzha and nearby destinations.
The service was flagged off at Mannathoor by Mathew Kuzhalnadan, MLA. Marady panchayat president Shanti Abraham presided over the function. District panchayat member Mathews Varkey and local representatives, including Sabu John, Saju Kunnappilly, Anita Baby, Jilson Jose, Rama Ramakrishnan, Ani Varghese, Jisha Pullorkudiyil, Delma Paul, Anoop Bhanu, O.P. Baby, P.P. Jolly and M.S. Surendran, also participated in the event.
The launch places a public transport link at the centre of a local effort to reduce connectivity constraints in rural panchayat areas. No timetable, frequency or operating details for the new service were provided in the source report.
