Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan has said the government aims to make the Keralam State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) more professional by introducing modern facilities and pursuing comprehensive development. He made the remarks after flagging off seven new services at the corporation’s North Paravur unit and inaugurating construction of a new bus waiting centre. Five new Priyadarshini ordinary services have started from Chathanad, Thattappally, Gothuruth and Puthenvelikkara to Kalamassery Medical College, Aluva, Ernakulam and Thrippunithura. Two services to Mysuru have also been launched. Interstate services to Palani and Madurai are scheduled to begin on October 23, while a service to Velankanni will start on October 31. The corporation has also prepared a Lakshadweep tourism package, with the first batch scheduled for November 4 fully booked. The first phase of construction of the Paravur KSRTC stand will cost Rs. 40 mn, followed by construction of a new building with modern facilities at a total cost of Rs. 100 mn. Satheesan said private individuals were coming forward to purchase and provide buses to KSRTC, while 33 MLAs had given permission for buses to be provided through their constituency development funds. On September 23, Jose, a resident of Mookkannoor in Angamaly, donated Rs. 4 mn to the corporation for purchasing a new bus. The donation is the first known instance of a private individual providing funds to purchase a bus for KSRTC. At a function in the Chief Minister’s chamber, Jose handed over the cheque to Satheesan, who transferred it to Transport Minister CP John and subsequently to KSRTC managing director PS Pramoj Shankar. The minister said the donation could encourage further support after the Calicut City Cooperative Bank had earlier funded a bus. The initiative forms part of the government’s 100-day action programme, under which individuals and organisations can sponsor buses. John said local self-government institutions, cooperative bodies, companies, trusts, voluntary organisations and corporate social responsibility funds could also support the programme.