DNA Straight Talk: Ailing Rajasthan Roadways on its road to recovery

There is a big threat of closing down the passenger bus operations from Delhi’s Bikaner House from where Volvo and ultra-luxury Scania buses are being run. The Supreme Court has directed Rajasthan government to file an affidavit by March 26, 2018 pertaining to pollution from these buses operating to the state from Bikaner House near Indian Gate. “If the State doesn’t file an affidavit, all buses originating from or terminating at Bikaner House will be restrained with effect from April 1. The Rajasthan government is filing an affidavit today pleading not to discontinue the operation. Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation Managing Director Kuldeep Ranka, in an exclusive chat with Rituraj Tiwari told DNA that the government will put in all efforts to continue with the ultra-luxury bus operation from Bikaner House. He also shared the status of Roadways’ revenue and discussed about the improving state of affairs in the corporation.      

Q. What are you going to submit in the affidavit?

A. We run ultra-luxury Scania buses from Bikaner House which are being operated on All India Tourist Permit. These buses are equipped with latest technology adhering the global emission norms. All India Tourist Permit buses can’t run from bus stand. We have been operating these buses for long time from Bikaner House to facilitate tourists. So keeping that in mind we will submit the affidavit.

Q. RSRTC has been running in losses for some time. Is there improvement in its financial health since you have joined?

A. Yes. The revenue has increased as well as load factor has also gone up to more than 70%, which is an encouraging sign. We have earned Rs 1,733 crore from April ’17-Februray ’18 as against Rs 1,593 crore during the corresponding time in last fiscal. With improvement in public transportation, we expect more revenue growth in next fiscal.

Q. You said that there is a drop in accident rates. How could you achieve that?

A. There are two factors which cause accidents – human factor and mechanical factor. If we work on these two, definitely we will be able to promote safe driving. If we are able to plan resting hours for drivers appropriately, we can achieve that goal. We have a Drivers’ Training Centre in Ajmer where we train them for safe driving, especially to those drivers who have met with accidents. The accident rates have dropped from 0.06% per lakh kms to 0.05% per lakh kms.

Q. You have been given a grant of Rs 45 crore from state government. What will you do with that?

A. It will be used to bridge the revenue and expenditure gap. We will also use this assistance to smoothen our operations and disburse salaries and pension liabilities on time.

Q. RSRTC has not witnessed any strike during your tenure. Any specific reason?

A. The state government is empathetic towards the demands of our staff. Even staff realise that the corporation will flourish only when everyone puts in his best. We have been able to redress their grievances in time.

Q. The online ticketing services are not up to mark. What do you have to say on this?

A. Rajasthan is among few states which have online ticketing as well as electronic ticketing machines. We are inviting new tenders for online ticketing which will have modern facilities like card swiping and other features to add to the facilities of passengers. The last online ticketing tender finalised in 2011. Since then there has been no upgradation.

Q. You were planning to auction some of your prime land to improve your fiscal health. What happened on that front?

A. I don’t think this is the right time for auction. The market conditions are not favourable. JDA was our auctioning agency. Looking at the lukewarm response from market, we are going slow on this.