J&K Transport Corporation to buy 100 buses, 50 trucks

Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation, the only State transport corporation that also has trucks, is set to upgrade its fleet of buses and trucks. It will soon place orders for 100 buses and 50 trucks.

“The tenders have been finalised for procurement of buses. We will be placing an order for 100 buses and 50 trucks by the first week of November. The total order will be about ₹30 crore,” Mir Afroz, Managing Director of the State transport undertaking, told BusinessLine .

The state road transport operator generally uses diesel buses, which cost ₹25-30 lakh each. Also, it does not have any other fuel infrastructure – CNG or charging stations.

The corporation has a fleet of almost 850, of which over 60 per cent are buses and the remaining trucks. It started acquiring trucks to move essential commodities. Pointing out that the role of public transporters was important, particularly as they are called upon to offer services in areas and at times when there are higher risks, Afroz wants public transport to be made a priority sector at par with education and health.

“Private operators run buses on their own terms. I have to run buses to disadvantaged places. I have commitments for Amarnath Yatra. I have to ferry troops and paramedical staff,” he said, adding that these were not profitable operations.

The transporter also has to go to places where private operators are unwilling. “There are about 140 routes where we operate but private operators are reluctant. We are not the only (existing) operator, but circumstances force us to act as the only operator,” Afroz said.

The public transporter also saw a lot of damage due to militancy. “In the last election, 54 buses got damaged. Then floods damaged our fleet. Last time, when private operators went on strike, we had to ferry students for the CET, NEET exams from district headquarters. It was our commitment. We ran about 24-25 buses, about three buses for each district,” he added.

Calling for strengthening of state transport undertakings, Afroz said the goal of literacy and healthcare may not achieve the desired results unless public transport is strengthened. In this regard, State transport undertakings have a critical role to play. The corporation had sought replacement and renewal for 450 buses.

Afroz called for focused approach from the Central and State governments “to broaden the outreach in State transport undertakings,” adding that the undertakings act as a “check and balance” vis-a-vis private operators and also provide dependable and affordable public transport to the masses.

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