KSRTC Launches All-in-One Pilgrimage Packages
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation is launching comprehensive pilgrimage packages that include travel, accommodation, and meals. The new tourism initiative is aimed at spiritual travelers who are looking for hassle-free religious tours in South India.
Budget Tourism Division Reports Strong Growth
The program was announced by Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar after KSRTC’s budget tourism division reported a profit increase of 68% in the last financial year. The corporation offers special pilgrimage services upon request, but will now standardize them.
“KSRTC already provides special services for pilgrimages on request. The system will be implemented now,” Kumar said.
Multi-State Religious Circuit Planned
The package will link major temples and churches in Kerala with organized routes. KSRTC plans on expanding services to popular Tamil Nadu locations, including Palani and Nagoor.
The Tamil Nadu sites are visited by thousands of Keralans every year. Direct packaged services are a natural expansion of the business for the company.
“We’ve already had discussions with the Tamil Nadu Government about such services, and they readily agreed,” Kumar confirmed that an agreement would be signed in the near future.
Innovation Drives Affordable Comfort
KSRTC upgrades fleet comfort without breaking budgets. The company successfully launched battery-powered AC buses for only Rs 6 lakh each.
One AC bus on the Thiruvananthapuram-Thrissur circuit charges only Rs 30 extra over non-AC rates. This route is extremely popular.
Kumar said that the system could be installed on a bus for just Rs. 6 lakh. The success of the project shows that comfort innovations are affordable and can be implemented across all circuits.
Enhanced Temple Experience for Package Travelers
KSRTC has negotiated special benefits for customers who purchase packages. Devaswom board discussions could give pilgrims priority access to the darshan queues.
Kumar stated that “we discussed this idea with devaswoms via the devaswom Minister, who has supported it.”
The proposal will improve the temple visits for organized groups.
Family-Friendly Accommodations Planned
Packages and meals are aimed at families and groups who struggle to make independent arrangements. KSRTC operates religious tours on a smaller scale through its budget tourism division.
Nalambala darsanam, a service that has been very successful in the past, covers four Rama temples on a single day during the monsoon. This model will be expanded to multiple circuits.
Services Launch Pending Final Approvals
The project is now in its final stages of planning. KSRTC anticipates launching services once interstate agreements and operational frameworks are completed.
Soon, spiritual travelers will be able to book complete religious tours using a single ticket. Kerala is positioned as a center for South Indian organized pilgrimage travel.
