Bhubaneswar lets old buses die a rusty death

The newly formed Capital Region Urban Transport has changed the mobility scenario in the city by introducing hi-tech buses, but the new entity has failed to maintain the old buses, which are now rusting at the depots.More than 100 such buses, introduced by the erstwhile Bhubaneswar-Puri Transport Services Limited, are lying idle at Pokhariput depot as the authorities have failed to maintain or refurbished them. Some of the buses remain in a dilapidated condition, while some others have housed wild creepers.Moreover, some of the buses, which had remained in a running condition a year ago mainly during the Asian Athletic Championships, now found place at the depot. "We have asked for more manpower and equipment to fix the buses," said a depot official.Soon after launching of the new Mo Bus service, drivers of the old city buses hit the streets, protesting against the government decision to allow the old buses to ply on six routes instead of earlier 14. This has led to confusion among the commuters."The decision was taken keeping in view the recently launched Mo Bus services. In the first phase of the initiative, 100 new buses have started running on nine routes in the city. Now, it is increased to 16 routes. We have also refurbished 79 old buses and will do it with the other ones too," said a transport body official. Dailyhunthttps://tapas.io/jeffbeccossamazon2