Pithoragarh depot of Uttarakhand Roadways is facing recurring tyre shortages, delayed maintenance payments and employee salary concerns, raising questions about the transport corporation’s operations and financial management. Several buses have reportedly been forced to remain idle, while services on some routes are irregular or suspended.
The depot’s tyre requirement has sharply exceeded the supply received. By Tuesday, it needed about 50 new tyres and 100 retreaded tyres. On Wednesday, it received only 2 new tyres and 10 retreaded tyres.
Supply gap affects bus services
The Tanakpur division does not have a tyre plant. As a result, tyres for its depots are supplied from the Kathgodam and Dehradun divisions. The division’s depots are also facing a shortage of new buses, increasing pressure on the vehicles already operating on different routes.
Buses running on these routes regularly require new or retreaded tyres. The continuing shortage has reportedly left older buses vulnerable to breakdowns during journeys. Employees are also facing pressure to keep services running despite shortages of tyres and other essential materials.
Bus operations are not regular on several routes, while services on some routes have stopped. There are also not enough employees for smooth operations from the bus stations at Gangolihat, Dharchula and Askot.
Tempo-traveller maintenance dues cross 4 lakh
Maintenance work for tempo travellers operating from Pithoragarh depot on the Delhi and Dehradun routes has accumulated unpaid dues of more than 4 lakh. Parts needed for maintenance are also reportedly not being supplied on time.
The vehicles have continued operating after repairs were managed as far as possible. However, the organisation handling maintenance has told management that it will not continue the work without payment from next month.
The reported problems have created a contrast between claims of efficient management and conditions at the depot. Employees are also reportedly waiting for salaries for as long as 3 months, adding to concerns over the functioning of the depot and its services.
Management response
Uttarakhand Transport Corporation regional manager A.K. Banwal said outsourced employees perform the same work as regular employees. He also said that promotion s are complete and that the supply of tyres and other materials is maintained regularly.
Banwal acknowledged that some buses remain out of service from time to time. His response differs from the reported account of an ongoing shortage, in which the depot’s requirements have substantially exceeded the supplies received.
Conclusion
Pithoragarh depot is dealing with tyre shortages, maintenance dues, salary delays and staffing constraints, while management says supplies are maintained and some buses being out of service is a continuing operational condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What problems is Pithoragarh depot facing?
The depot is facing tyre shortages, delayed maintenance payments, salary delays and staff shortages at some bus stations.
Q. How many tyres did the depot need?
By Tuesday, it needed about 50 new tyres and 100 retreaded tyres.
Q. How many tyres did it receive on Wednesday?
The depot received 2 new tyres and 10 retreaded tyres.
Q. How much maintenance payment is pending for the tempo travellers?
The pending maintenance payment has crossed 4 lakh.
Q. Which routes are affected by the maintenance issue?
Tempo travellers from Pithoragarh depot operate on the Delhi and Dehradun routes.
Q. Why is tyre supply dependent on other divisions?
The Tanakpur division does not have a tyre plant, so tyres are supplied from the Kathgodam and Dehradun divisions.
Q. What did the regional manager say?
Regional manager A.K. Banwal said outsourced employees perform the same work as regular employees and that tyres and other materials are supplied regularly.
