Kochi Next Forum, a local NGO, has sharply criticized the deteriorating condition of the Ernakulam KSRTC bus station and demanded its immediate renovation. In a strongly worded open letter to Ernakulam MLA T J Vinod, the forum called the bus stand “the worst in the country,” pointing out that its crumbling state reflects poorly on the MLA’s performance despite five years in office.
The forum highlighted the bus station’s daily usage by passengers from across Kerala and lamented the lack of basic amenities or infrastructure improvements in such a critical transport hub within the metro city of Kochi.
In addition to demanding renovation, Kochi Next Forum urged the reinstatement of popular long-distance services that have recently been shifted. They cited the Ernakulam–Kanyakumari Superfast service via Vaikom, Kottayam, and Thiruvalla — the only such route from the city — which was abruptly moved to Pathanapuram. The NGO also criticized the reassignment of the Ernakulam–Coimbatore Superfast service to Kottarakkara, noting that both routes had strong passenger demand and were operated successfully by the Ernakulam depot.
The forum emphasized that such decisions not only inconvenience passengers but also erode Kochi’s connectivity with other major towns and cities.