Taking a U-turn, the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) in its new proposal has again decided to do away with the Kapurthala depot.
Undergoing a financial crisis, the PRTC authorities are apparently confused over deciding whether to dismantle the Kapurthala depot or not, as recently they had decided to continue with the depot by selling some surplus land from the local bus stand.
PRTC officials have now decided to dismantle the depot by handling its charge to the Ludhiana bus stand general manager, who will supervise the operation of routes at Phagwara and Kapurthala bus stands. To clear liabilities over Rs 200 crore, the PRTC authorities have decided to sell its assets and close the depots which are getting low passenger response to reduce overall administrative costs such as salary of general managers and other staff.
It is proposed in the new notification that instead of maintaining the depot, the routes will be operated by other PRTC depots.
About a dozen buses at the local bus stand will be managed by minimum administrative staff. Moreover, a five-member committee has been formed to take further decision on shifting of buses and machinery.
While the staff will be transferred to other depots as needed, machinery will be transferred to PRTC’s central workshop.PRTC chairman Avtar Singh Brar said they will not do away with or close the Kapurthala depot but were planning to change bus routes. This depot is one of the PRTC’s oldest and it will remain as it is,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}While the staff will be transferred to other depots as needed, machinery will be transferred to PRTC’s central workshop.PRTC chairman Avtar Singh Brar said they will not do away with or close the Kapurthala depot but were planning to change bus routes. This depot is one of the PRTC’s oldest and it will remain as it is,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}He said the state government is also providing economic help to PRTC, to help clear its liabilities.
“We are soon adding 200 new buses, of which 50 buses will be added before March next year. The old buses which are in a running condition will be refurbished to provide better transport service,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PRTC Employees Union on Wednesday met state transport minister Ajit Singh Kohar requesting him to continue with the Kapurthala depot.
“The transport minister has assured us that the depot will remain as it is. He told the PRTC will add new buses to the depot for an efficient transport service in the area,” said Rakesh Kumar, secretary PRTC Employees Union.