Procurement gaps hit transport corporations, says Ramalinga Reddy

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Wednesday said that the absence of procurement of buses between 2019 and 2023 had adversely affected the functioning of State-run transport corporations.

Replying in the Legislative Council, he said not a single bus was purchased during the four years. “If buses are not procured continuously, it will impact the organisation,” he said, attributing current deficiencies to this gap.

He flagged a halt in recruitment after 2016, adding that since the present government assumed office, around 9,000 personnel have been recruited, including 1,300 on compassionate grounds.

Mr. Reddy said over 6,000 buses had been procured in the last two years, with 2,000 added last year and another 1,000 sanctioned in the current Budget. Of the total fleet of about 26,000 buses, nearly one-third have been added in the last two-and-a-half years, he said.

On ageing buses, he noted that while their permitted lifespan is up to 15 years, refurbishment is being carried out. Around 2,000 to 2,500 buses have been refurbished so far.

Responding to concerns raised by Member Y.M. Satish on inadequate services in Ballari and Vijayanagara, the Minister said priority would be given to these districts. He added that 1,173 buses had been allocated to the Kalyana Karnataka region, with 400 more in the pipeline and 56 high-end buses expected to be introduced shortly.