At a time when the KSRTC is reeling under acute financial crisis, close to 400 buses, including the ones operating long-distance services, are lying idle – either without tyres or for replacement of damaged parts.
While about 250 buses need tyre replacement as many as 130 have damaged parts to be changed. With these many buses staying off road, the Corporation suffers huge financial loss owing to service cancellations.
“A total of 250 buses have been lying idle in 95 depots across the state, as the Corporation is unable to replace tyres. It has been calculated that new tyres can be purchased at a cost of Rs two crore. “The employees’ associations have brought this issue before the management many a time; Still no action has been taken,’’ sources pointed out.
With these many buses staying off the road, each unit may suffer a loss of close to Rs 50,000, they added.
It has been pointed out that many of these buses are at depots in the Malabar region. There are about 50 buses waiting for tyre replacement at three depots in Wayanad, many in Kozhikode, Malappuram and Kannur depots.
Similarly, there are buses lying idle, either due to non-replacement of tyres or shortage of spare parts in Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram and Mavelikkara.
With the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation under severe financial crisis, last week the government had cleared financial assistance of Rs 200 crore for buying new buses.
Employees unions point out that along with buying new buses the Corporation should focus on maintenance and repair of buses. Going for less quality machinery and spares have been pointed out as another major issue.
In the mean time, large quantities of spare parts purchased for mini buses during the term of former Transport Minister Ganesh Kumar by spending crores of rupees are dumped as they cannot be used for other buses.
As per preliminary estimates, spare parts purchased to the tune of around Rs 4 crore for these buses remain without being put to use at Corporation godowns.
These mini buses, which remain off the road now, are lying idle at depots in Mavelikkara, Pappanamcode and all.
New Indian Express
