The
Hindu: Hyderabad: Sunday, June 23, 2019.
7,925
buses were hired for Pragathi Nivedana Sabha in Kongara Kalan
As
much as 69.5% of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation’s entire fleet
of 10,464 buses was directed to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi’s Pragathi
Nivedana Sabha in Kongara Kalan on September 2 last year. The transport
juggernaut was paid for this event a staggering Rs.15.62 crore, a sum more than
its average daily revenue.
According
to a response to an RTI query, the TSRTC informed activist S Q Masood that the
amount for hiring 7,925 buses was paid ‘locally’ at the various bus depots
across the State. The RTI reply did not furnish the invoices as requested but
stated that these are available with the respective regions and depots.
The
largest number of buses for the public meeting was taken from Warangal region
with as many as 1,325 buses pressed into service. Hired vehicles from this
region received over Rs. 3.22 crore. The second largest number was hired from
Medak region, followed by Karimnagar and the Secunderabad regions. Nearly a
third of the fleet with the 15 depots of Hyderabad district were diverted for
the public meeting.
“Express,
Pallevelugu and City type buses were provided. The number of people travelled
cannot be recorded in such cases,” the reply reads.
Explaining
the reason for requesting information, Mr Masood said, “the public faced a lot
of problems that day as nearly 70% of the fleet was diverted for the public
meeting. While it is good that the payment was made, the larger issue is that
the government should work towards improving the fleet, injecting funds and
helping the TSRTC to become profitable.”
While
the RTI response did not mention whether concessions or discounts were made,
officials clarified that the payment was taken in advance. “We have not given
any concessions. It would have been problematic if discounts were extended as
revenue would take a beating. On an average, the revenue per day is between Rs.
10 crore and Rs. 11 crore. However, it would do the TSRTC good in terms of
revenue if the government permits us to lease buses for similar events.”
However,
transport researcher G S R Chaitanya offers a different perspective, “Many
villages get just one or two buses a day and these are the only means for a lot
to access jobs, education and health care. While TSRTC needs the revenue, extra
money should not come at the expense of passengers convenience.”