Mismanagement on the part of the Punjab Roadways with regard to repair of its buses is causing state transport department losses worth lakhs of rupees on monthly-basis.
According to the sources a number of buses under Punjab Roadways banner have been stationed at the Ludhiana depot for the past two months now. Punjab roadways employees have widely criticised the mismanagement and apathetic stance adopted by department officials.
Repair work, which on an average takes a week, has often been cited as the cause for not resuming the bus service on their respective routes.
One of the executive members of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), requesting anonymity, said, "The buses parked for repair are missing out on thousands of kilometres on monthly-basis therefore causing losses worth lakhs of rupees to the department. It is transport department's own officials who have caused major dent to its revenue generation."
"Adding to the current situation are the poor repairing measures being adopted at the workshop, which has resulted to an accident recently. A bus after remaining stationed at the depot for one-and-a-half month for repair, resumed its services after being repaired but met with a serious accident due to brakes failure.
Another bus, which was plying between Ludhiana and Ambala route, is stationed at the workshop area for over a month now has already missed out on 10,000 kilometres, which if calculated amounts to a loss of Rs 3.20 lakh to the state transport."
{{/usCountry}}Another bus, which was plying between Ludhiana and Ambala route, is stationed at the workshop area for over a month now has already missed out on 10,000 kilometres, which if calculated amounts to a loss of Rs 3.20 lakh to the state transport."
{{/usCountry}}He said, "Top officials in the department do not seem to be concerned as losses worth lakhs of rupees continue to amass."
Earlier, two buses running under kilometre schemes (Punbus) were stationed at the Ludhiana for more than two months, resumed their service soon after Hindustan Times reported the matter in one of its reports last week.
Rashpal Singh Makhu, general manager, Punjab Roadways, Ludhiana depot, could not be contacted despite several attempts.