The TNSTC bus depot at Ramanathapuram district which functions under the Kumbakonam division. | Photo Credit: BALACHANDAR L Activists and the public advocate for the administrative jurisdiction of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Ramanathapuram district, to be transferred from Kumbakonam division to Madurai to cut down on bureaucratic bottlenecks.The Kumbakonam TNSTC division currently oversees 12 districts: Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur, Tiruchi, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Karur, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Pudukottai, and Karaikal.Madhavan, a Ramanathapuram-based advocate, argued that placing Ramanathapuram under the Kumbakonam division makes no logistical sense.“The distance between the two districts is nearly 250 kilometres, yet all administrative decisions, the launch of new bus services, and employee-related matters are handled out of the Kumbakonam office,” he noted.He added that this setup not only complicates local administration but also places Ramanathapuram at a distinct disadvantage due to the vast geographical separation.Public pointed out that placing Ramanathapuram under the Madurai division—which spans Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Virudhunagar, and parts of Sivaganga—would be far more practical, given that the coastal district is only about 100 kilometres away.A retired TNSTC employee who previously worked in Kamuthi recalled that despite submitting numerous petitions and appeals over the years, no steps were taken to streamline the process for either staff or the public.For employees, every official grievance or representation meant making a long journey to Kumbakonam to meet the Managing Director.“Whenever our association has a demand or plans a demonstration, members have to take leave and travel all the way to Kumbakonam,” the former staff member noted.Shifting the jurisdiction to Madurai would make organising such protests and demonstrations much easier and more accessible.Similarly, residents seeking a new bus service for a village or hamlet currently have to travel to Kumbakonam to place their demands before the MD, the retired employee added.Historically, the transport network was divided into 21 corporations, each with its own MD.However, when the system was restructured into just seven divisions—following Karaikudi losing its status as a division headquarters—Ramanathapuram was absorbed into Kumbakonam.V. Baskaran, the general secretary of the CITU-TNSTC Karaikudi region, suggested that as an interim measure, the Managing Director should designate specific monthly time slots for employees from outlying regions, making the grievance redressal process far less complicated.Activists argued that this administrative arrangement must be revised to make operations simpler and less burdensome for employees and the public alike.
Published - October 25, 2026 07:33 pm IST