Gurgaon bus depot hit by staff shortage

GURGAON: The Gurgaon depot of Haryana Roadways has been facing a serious staff crunch, as no new appointments have been made at the depot after 1993. As a result, the work has suffered, with roadways buses being stranded at the depot for months.
According to the depot workers, due to the shortage of manpower, the existing employees have to work overtime and still the work is never completed in time.There are several AC and non-AC buses still lying idle at the depot as the repair works are still to be completed.
There are around 150 people for maintaining the huge fleet of more than 250 buses, which include both city and interstate, AC and non-AC vehicles.
"No doubt, the Gurgaon depot is one of the well-equipped depots in Haryana. Yet, even with all the facilities, the current staff is not enough to handle so many buses. We are doing our best to maintain the depot and repair the buses in time," said a senior official at the depot.
"No new appointments have been made in the depot since 1993. The depot desperately needs technical manpower. AC buses from other depots are stranded here for months and they have yet to be delivered to the depot concerned owing to the lack of qualified manpower," said Raj Vir Panghal, president, Haryana Roadways Employees Union, Gurgaon depot.
On the other hand, the roadways has started hiring new drivers. "There was an acute shortage of drivers till recently. Now, the good news is that the state has started the process of appointing them. While some drivers have already been inducted, they are lying idle since new buses for the city are yet to arrive," said Deshbandhu, a driver.
People talk
The authorities should ensure that drivers don't remain idle while sitting in the office. Buses should reach as soon as possible" Sushil Kumar
"We face lots of problems while driving on the city routes as there is no definite bus stand." Anand Conductor.
"Lots of things need to develop the city buses services in the city - Dinesh a commuter.