Around 200 new buses will be inducted in the fleet of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) shortly.
Besides, Road Security Councils led by DMs will be constituted in each of the districts of Uttarakhand. This was decided during the meeting of Transport Department at Bijapur Guest House on Wednesday presided over Chief Minister Harish Rawat.
CM asked them to curb the number of road accidents and improve financial condition of UTC. He also instructed them to prepare working plans to drive maxi vehicles (small) by local youths on contract basis with Transport Corporation on the hilly routes. Through the initiative, youths will get income sources along with better transport services availability to people. Adequate numbers of vehicles will be available for transportation easily, he said. Fitness checking system of vehicles of Transport Department should be improved, CM said while stressing on regular fitness checking drives.
Rawat instructed them to take necessary steps to reduce the numbers of accidents in hilly areas of the State. He instructed them to firm up solid and clear roadmap on this matter.
A union to be constituted for the routes where more numbers of vehicles run will reduce the competition among the vehicle owners, CM said. Accidents due to competition to catch the passengers will be reduced through the effort.
Expressing concern over erratic fitness checking of old vehicles, he said the Transport Department must sit up and act. Strict action would be taken against the officer concerned if accident occurs due to poor fitness of the vehicles, he warned.
Rawat emphasised to ensure people’s participation to stop the accidents.
Representatives of various political parties, motor unions and others may be incorporated in Road Security Councils, he said.
He expressed happiness over UTC having partly reduced the quantum of its losses. Now At Par (Zero loss) target remains to be achieved. Purchasing of new buses is to be ensured as the State government is providing interest subsidy for the purpose. Possibility to hire the buses on lease from companies might be explored too, he said, adding that it would reduce the expenditure burden of Transport Corporation and State Government.
Advertisement on buses might prove good source of income for the corporation, he suggested. He laid emphasis on campaign to speedily book the passengers travelling without tickets . Officials of Revenue Department may help in this purpose, he said.
Adequate arrangements should be ensured for carrying the luggage. Online booking system should be started too to dispatch the luggage. Senior officials of transport corporation will supervise this campaign, he said.
A working plan would be prepared to improve the condition of workshops of the roadways. Senior officials will cross check the workshop.
Rawat asked the officials to ensure adequate salary to the drivers recruited through outsourcing so that well -trained drivers might be hired. Better rest room facility should be available for the bus drivers, CM said, adding that drinking water and toilets facilities should be developed at the bus stations.
CM was informed in course of the meeting that hi-tech toilets are being constructed in Rishikesh, Kotdwar and Manglore.