AP Bureau
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Bhubaneswar, 18th Oct 2016: The State Govt has decided to revive the loss making Odisha State Road Transport Corporation thrugh capital investment support for purchase of new buses. Besides plans being chalked out to adopt more professional methods of management & operation and scale up real profit of the beleaguered corporation.
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In the first phase around 70 AC & Non-AC buses would be procured by the Corporation with an investment of Rs. 33 cr . The Corporation will spend around Rs.13 cr. from its own resources and Rs.20 cr would be provided as capital support from the Govt through the department of Commerce & Transport. Chief Secretary Sri Padhi directed that all new buses procured should be of better quality from the perspectives of the security and comfort of the passengers.
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Speaking about the revival, MD Sudhansu Sadangi said, ‘Corporation has computerized all its accounts. E- Ticketing machines have been installed and manual ticketing has been abolished. Internet/mobile ticketing has been introduced. As of now 60% of the tickets are being booked through online system in advance. This has curtailed the pilferage.”
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The system of Bhuan for collection of entry fee to Badambadi bus stand has been removed. In its place the new system of entry fees through smart card and boom barrier has been made functional. The corporation has targeted to start premium bus service from 25th October. One bus–One staff policy would be adopted for all future buses. The system of central store has been substituted by virtual store through IDICOL software. The Corporation has successfully down sized Bus:Staff ratio the lowest level in comparison to State Road Transport Corporations of other States in India. The ratio has been reduced to 3 in the year 2015-16 in contrast to the ratio of 9+ in the year 1993-94. The operating cost per km has also been reduced to Rs 26.41 against all India average of Rs.34.30. The corporation has earned net surplus over last 13 years, Sadangi apprised.
