1,472 HR buses lying idle: Union

epender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, November 16

Leaders of the Haryana Roadways (HR) employees’ union have alleged that 1,472 roadways buses are not being fully utilised to provide transport services on various routes.

The Transport Department however stated that they are making wild allegations, adding that they are putting up incorrect facts.

The Roadways Karamchari Talmel Committee member Dalbir Kiramra and Hari Naryana Sharma stated that of the total 4,012 buses, 3,140 buses are operational. As many as 872 buses are spare at various depots of the state.

They said that another 350 low-floor buses purchased during the Delhi Commonwealth Games are lying idle at Gurugram and Faridabad while another 250 buses, which are assigned to educational institutes, are clocking less than 100 km daily against the norm of covering at least 300 km.

“It has been our argument with the government that first, the HR-owned buses should be operationalised fully on the routes before thinking about roping in private operators,” Hari Naryana Sharma said.

He added that as HR is facing shortage of staff, there would be more crunch of conductors as 720 of the existing strength of conductors would be deployed on private buses as per the new policy of the government, leaving another fleet of 720 HR buses idle in the absence of conductors.

Kirmara added that 350 low-floor buses purchased at a cost of Rs 65-70 lakh per bus are likely to be condemned soon which is a wastage of resources. He said that instead of issuing private permits, the government should have utilised its resources fully in public interest.

However, Additional Chief Secretary, Transport Department, Dhanpat Singh said these were wild allegations. “There are about 250 buses (low-floor and CNG) which are parked in workshops as it is uneconomical to operate them. About 10-15 per cent buses remain in the workshop for routine maintenance,” the ACS said.

The ACS said, “The union leaders do not work. Many of them who are drivers have not driven buses for 20 years. Similarly, the union leaders who are conductors have not issued tickets in buses for many years.” He alleged that they were doing political work and drawing fat salaries from the state exchequer. These leaders are neither bothered about the public nor about the employees whom they claim to represent.

State president of HR union, Sharma, denied the charge adding that he is posted as inspector at Yamunanagar and all other leaders are also performing their duties.