Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has launched ‘Vijnana Darshini’, a new initiative offering affordable educational and recreational trips for school and college students. The scheme is being implemented under the leadership of the KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell.
The initiative aims to combine education with recreation by taking students to cultural institutions, archaeological sites, factories and tourist destinations. Educational institutions can organise low-cost trips tailored to their requirements, enabling students to gain practical knowledge alongside their regular classroom learning.
History, Science and Industry Beyond the Classroom
Through Vijnana Darshini, students will have opportunities to explore history, science, nature and industry firsthand. The programme will also include industrial visits, with itineraries arranged according to the needs of participating educational institutions.
Thiruvananthapuram district has been selected for the initial rollout, with plans to expand the initiative to other districts later.
In the first phase, KSRTC has prepared several tour packages covering Ponmudi, a major tourist destination in Thiruvananthapuram district, and nearby attractions. Special KSRTC buses suitable for trips to Ponmudi will be used for the service. The Budget Tourism Cell’s dedicated buses can accommodate 36 students per trip.
Major Attractions Included in the Tour Packages
The itineraries in Thiruvananthapuram district will cover several educational and tourist destinations, including:
- Kappukad Elephant Rehabilitation Centre
- Neyyar Dam
- Palode Botanical Garden
- Jersey Farm in Vithura
- Museums and planetariums
- Ponmudi and nearby attractions
The trips are designed to provide students with opportunities to learn about wildlife, the environment, agriculture, science and local tourism through direct experience.
How to Book a Vijnana Darshini Educational Tour
Educational institutions can contact their respective district KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell coordinators to obtain further details about the packages and arrange trips according to their requirements.
District-Wise KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell Contact Numbers
| District | Contact Number |
|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram North | 9188619378 |
| Thiruvananthapuram South | 9188938522 |
| Kollam | 9188938523 |
| Pathanamthitta | 9188938524 |
| Alappuzha | 9188938525 |
| Kottayam | 9188938526 |
| Idukki | 9188938527 |
| Ernakulam | 9188938528 |
| Thrissur | 9188938529 |
| Palakkad | 9188938530 |
| Malappuram | 9188938531 |
| Kozhikode | 9188938532 |
| Wayanad | 9188938533 |
| Kannur and Kasaragod | 9188938534 |
The initiative is expected to give students more opportunities to combine affordable travel with practical learning, while helping educational institutions organise visits to important destinations across Kerala.
