Pithoragarh depot employees of Uttarakhand Roadways have reportedly been waiting for their salaries for 3 months, adding to wider operational problems at the public transport facility. The delay has created difficulties for workers managing household expenses and has contributed to stress among staff.
At the same time, about half a dozen buses are reportedly parked in the workshop because the depot lacks tyres and other essential materials. The shortage has become a recurring monthly problem, according to the report, and has disrupted bus operations on several important routes.
Services to Haridwar and Dehradun are currently running at one each. Rural connections to Dharamghar and Pangla have also been affected. Passengers on these routes are facing inconvenience because buses are not consistently available on schedule.
Technical vacancies add to depot problems
The transport corporation also has vacancies in technical management and supervisory positions. of general manager (technical) is vacant at headquarters, while s of divisional manager (technical) are vacant in the Tanakpur, Kathgodam and Dehradun divisions.
The vacancies have slowed the handling of technical issues within the corporation, with some problems taking considerable time to resolve. The report also puts the number of vacant junior foreman s across Uttarakhand at about 4 dozen.
A pay-grade mismatch has further complicated recruitment or placement for these s. Junior foremen receive a grade pay of 2800 rupees, while employees in s below them receive 4200 rupees. The corporation is unable to place staff in the junior foreman positions and cannot reduce their salaries, leaving employees unwilling to take the role.
Official response on supplies and salaries
Ravishekhar Kapri, assistant regional manager, said tyres and other materials had arrived recently. He said another demand had been sent and the required items were expected to become available within one or 2 days.
Kapri also said employees were expected to receive their salaries. He added that 3 or 4 buses were parked for other reasons, offering a different assessment from the report’s account of about half a dozen buses standing in the workshop because of shortages.
The depot’s supply position and pending salaries remain central concerns for staff and passengers. Until material availability and staffing issues improve, disruptions may continue on both long-distance and rural services.
Conclusion
The Pithoragarh depot is dealing with delayed salaries, recurring shortages and technical vacancies, while officials say supplies and employee payments are expected to improve shortly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long have Pithoragarh depot employees reportedly been waiting for their salaries?
They have reportedly been waiting for 3 months.
Q. Which bus services are affected?
Services to Haridwar and Dehradun, along with the rural routes to Dharamghar and Pangla, are affected.
Q. What is causing buses to remain in the workshop?
A shortage of tyres and other essential materials has reportedly left about half a dozen buses in the workshop. The assistant regional manager said 3 or 4 buses were parked for other reasons.
Q. Which technical s are vacant?
The general manager (technical) at headquarters and divisional manager (technical) s in Tanakpur, Kathgodam and Dehradun are vacant.
Q. How many junior foreman s are vacant?
About 4 dozen junior foreman s are vacant across Uttarakhand.
Q. What did the assistant regional manager say about supplies?
Ravishekhar Kapri said a fresh demand had been sent and tyres and other materials were expected within one or 2 days.
Q. What was said about the employees’ salaries?
Kapri said the staff were expected to receive their salaries.
