Expansion of fleet
J&K Road Transport Corporation needs an overhaul and the dream of the central government to link each and every village with metallic roads would be a reality but it also needs a transport system from the government.
In this direction recently while inaugurating 12 online services; e-Book of Transport Department, Manoj Sinha laid stress on the need to make JK SRTC a viable alternative in order to connect every village with the transport system. In this direction he entrusted upon J&K Road Transport Corporation the expansion of their fleet of buses, and hoped that the government-run buses traverse 20 lakh Kms every month, increasing from its present average of 15 lakh Kms a month.
He highlighted the four key measures initiated by the UT, in this regard, and said that by March 2021, 44 seater semi-deluxe buses, 20 seater deluxe buses, sleeper coaches and trucks are to be added to the fleet. Two major projects- the Institute of Driving Training and Research at Kot Bhalwal and the Inspection & Certification Centre at Samba will also be completed by March 2021. Inspection of accident cases, the fitness of commercial vehicles and training would become streamlined and expedited with the start of these two projects.
The scheme, launched to mitigate the losses faced by the transport sector due to the COVID pandemic, has been implemented on the ground, after the announcement in September this year. Government has provided assistance with respect to Insurance premium subject to a maximum of Rs.5000 per vehicle for buses/mini-buses, Rs.3000 for Taxis/Sumos, and Rs. 2000 for three-wheelers. He said that by extending 50% subsidy or Rs.5 Lakh whichever is lower to the transporters for replacement of old buses.
