Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh and Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar are in a dispute over the operation of Smart City electric buses. Rajesh accused the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) of contractual violations by extending bus routes. Kumar countered that the state has a significant stake in Smart City funding and suggested the Corporation could take back operational control, but would need to manage parking and crew. He also highlighted the high maintenance costs and low returns of the electric fleet, proposing replacement with new diesel mini-buses.