The corporation will deploy 390 buses for the first leg of the pilgrimage season and 560 buses in the second leg
“We will also set up specialised mobile workshop units and round-the-clock garage facilities along the main pilgrimage routes, including Pamba and Nilackal,” a senior KSRTC official said. KSRTC also plans to deploy luxury private buses taken on wet lease based on demand. “A batch of five premium air-conditioned vehicles has been deployed on interstate routes. If the initiative turns successful, we’ll deploy similar service to Pamba as well from main depots,” the official added.
Kochi : KSRTC has accelerated its preparations to ensure safe and smooth travel for Ayyappa devotees during the 2026–27 Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. The corporation will deploy 390 buses for the first leg of the pilgrimage season and 560 buses in the second leg. In the initial pilgrimage phase, a total of 678 trained personnel will manage operations, ticketing, and crowd flow. The staff strength will rise to 778 officers, drivers, and support personnel during peak pilgrimage weeks.
You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kochi | Silver Rate in Kochi | Bank Holidays in Kochi | Public Holidays in Kochi Stay updated with the latest Kochi news. A fleet of additional buses, mostly those repaired in its depot garages, remains on standby to be deployed instantly based on requirements. Kayamkulam and Mavelikkara units will operate extra long-distance feeder services to directly connect pilgrims arriving from various regions. High-frequency shuttle services will operate continuously between Nilackal and Pamba to cater to the pilgrimage flow. Dedicated bus parking spaces and coordinated traffic management systems will be implemented in tie-up with other agencies to prevent bottlenecks along narrow hill corridors. Download the TOI App.