Karwar: A memorandum has been submitted to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai urging funds of Rs 1,500 crore in the budget for the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC). If the funds are released, 1,500 new buses would be purchased, said NWKRTC Chairman V S Patil.
He noted this while speaking to media persons after inspecting various facilities at the Bus Depot in Karwar on Friday.
Patil said, the NWKRTC has not purchased new buses for the last three years. 50% of the 4,800 buses of the Corporation are unfit to enter roads. The Corporation is facing a financial crunch and there is a need for Rs 1,000 crore to take up various works. At present, Rs 160 crore is needed to ensure facilities for the retired employees and Rs 450 crore for providing the Employees Provident Fund (EPF). The chief minister has positively responded to the memorandum.
'NWKRTC in loss'
He said that the NWKRTC has incurred a huge loss due to Covid-19 induced lockdowns and the protest staged by the employees demanding fulfilment of their various demands. Earlier, 22 lakh people used to travel 17 lakh kilometres in NWKRTC buses per day. Now, this number has dropped to 15 lakh. At present, the Corporation is getting up to Rs 30 per kilometre. However, there is a need to get Rs 40 per kilometre to improve the financial condition of the Corporation, he said.
Including the diesel charges, the Corporation has to bear the expenditure of Rs two crore each day. Due to Covid-19, there are no savings. The condition is improving since the last week. The Corporation is generating up to Rs four crore income every day and Rs two crore is being saved, he added.
E-buses
Discussions were also held on purchasing e-buses. But its maintenance cost per kilometre would be Rs 56. If the government gives approval, there is a plan to purchase 50 city buses, he informed.
He also said, earlier, buses were plying on 86 different routes from Karwar depot. After resuming services for various rural regions, at present, buses are plying on 84 routes.
Uttara Kannada district is facing a shortage of employees. Drivers and conductors from different parts of the State who are appointed for Uttara Kannada district too get transfers using the influence of ministers of their home district. This is a matter of concern, he rued.
Install signboards
The chairman also said that one need not pay for using the toilets in the bus stands coming under the limits of NWKRTC. However, it is found that the contractors responsible for maintenance at the bus stands are charging user fees from the people. To avoid this, signboards should be installed in all the bus stands within two days. If not, the assistant commissioner of Sirsi sub-division should take action against the depot manager, he directed.
Karwar Depot Manager Soumya Nayak and others were present.
'Foundation stone laying soon'
NWKRTC Chairman V S Patil said, foundation stone laying ceremony for the development of the old bus stand in Sirsi will be held on February 26 or 27. Discussion in this regard was also held with Legislative Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri.
"The list of the newly-built bus stands across the district which are awaiting inauguration would be availed from the department and local MLAs would be asked to take measures for their inauguration," he added.