Transport department has bagged 11 national awards for effective diesel management, says Minister

Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabaskar said that the State government would acquire 5,000 new buses for various State owned transport corporations.

Speaking at a function organised by the State Transport Corporation, Kumbakonam, and Indian Oil Corporation here on Thursday, he said that an announcement was made in the State Assembly on purchase of 3,000 new buses during the current year. In addition to it, 2,000 buses announced by the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa would also be acquired. The process of acquiring new buses would begin shortly.

Stating that the State had earned good name for efficiently manning the transport corporations in the national level, Mr. Vijayabaskar said that the State transport department had bagged 11 national awards in New Delhi for effective diesel management. Of them, the Kumbakonam division had secured two awards. On an average, the department had saved 5.69 km per litre of diesel in 2016. It was 5.71 km in 2017. This was possible due to effective implementation of ‘save diesel campaign’ among bus crew members and their support. He added that it has been decided to introduce new buses with passenger friendly seat-cum-bed facilities. It was aimed at providing facilities to passengers on par with private buses. The mini buses being operated in Chennai had received good response among passengers. Hence, the Transport Department had planned to introduce mini buses in other Corporation limits. It had been taken to the notice of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami.

The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2017 of the Central government had many aspects affecting transport workers and crew members. Hence, the State government had stressed the Central government to repeal the act by taking into account the apprehensions of transport workers, Mr. Vijayabaskar said.

Minister for Tourism Vellamandi N. Natarajan, Minister for Backward Classes and Minority Welfare S. Valarmathi, Collector K. Rajamani, Members of Parliament T. Rathinavel, R.P. Marutharaja, Member of Legislative Assembly Parameswari and others spoke.

Earlier, Mr. Vijayabaskar distributed awards to transport workers, who have demonstrated their skills by minimising the usage of diesel.