Gujjar stir hits RSRTC hard

JAIPUR: The ongoing Gujjar agitation has hit Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation hard, with the corporation claiming it is losing Rs 90 lakh every day owing to non-operation of buses.

Before the Gujjar agitation on May 23, the RSRTC's daily earnings were about Rs 2.4 crore every day, but it has now come down to Rs 1.5 crore in the last nine days, an official spokesman said here.

Barring the Jaipur-Agra and Jaipur-Kota route, the corporation is diverting or running buses at night, he said.

Buses have also been set alight and damaged by protesters in parts of the state, he said, adding the loss was yet to be assessed.

The stir has also affected transport business in the state.

Jaipur Transport Operator Association co-secretary Gurnam Singh Gogia claimed the business has suffered a cumulative loss of Rs 45 crore, adding 20 trucks were set ablaze by protesters.

Small and medium businesses in the state capital have also got a jolt with Rajasthan Steel Chamber chairman Sitaram Agarwal and Sitapura Industrial area association general secretary Naresh putting the loss at Rs 1,600 crore.

Those connected with the fruit and vegetables trade said wholesale markets are shut in 15 districts.

However, the stir has benefitted airlines, with Jet, Kingfisher, Sahara and Air India flights being booked for the next three days.