Shortage of buses, diesel slows down MSRTC operations

Nagpur: Shortage of diesel and also buses has hit the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) operations in Nagpur division for the last four to five days.According to drivers and conductors, for the last five days they have been forced to wait for long hours to get buses to be driven on specific routes. Besides, on many occasions, shortage of diesel resulted in the vehicles remaining stranded, they said.On Wednesday, drivers arrived on duty but had to wait to get buses at MSRTC’s Ghat Road, Imambada, Ganeshpeth, and Wardhaman Nagar depots. It is not only the drivers but also the passengers who were found queueing up.“Similar was the situation at Umred, Saoner, Katol, and Ramtek depots. This is happening since Saturday,” they said.MSRTC’s deputy general manager Shrikant Gabhne tried to downplay the issue and denied any crisis. “We have a fleet of 432 buses in the division and only 10 have been scrapped. There is no shortage as such. There is no diesel crisis also,” he told TOI.Divisional controller PN Ghule also denied any crisis. “I’ve not received a single complaint from any of the depots. That means all is well,” he said.However, on Wednesday, TOI found that drivers and conductors were waiting to get buses at Ganeshpeth and Imambada depots. Some buses did not have fuel and awaiting refill, sources said.Sources also said that the central workshop at Hingna MIDC is flooded with buses sent for repairs.“If my duty starts at 5am, but I get a bus after five hours, my duty hours will be counted from 10am,” said a driver. Besides, due to diesel shortage, we have to curtail many schedules, he added.The MSRTC has its own fuel facilities at Ganeshpeth, Wardhaman Nagar, Ghat Road, and other depots but all these are facing diesel shortage.“Our concern is that if the vehicle goes dry midway, we will be held responsible for the mess. Complete harassment of staff is going on by the management,” alleged drivers.
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