TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS

STATE TRANSPORT

STATE TRANSPORT

With a view to re-organising the motor transport system, the then Government of Bombay decided to nationalise the transport industry in the State by setting up a Statutory Public Corporation known as " The Bombay State Road Transport Corporation".

This decision was the result of the chaotic conditions which prevailed during the inter-war period, when apparently the transport system seemed to have developed in respect of area served by the system, road mileage, number of vehicles plying, etc. However, in reality unhealthy competition between the private operators of bus services was cutting through the whole apparatus. Motor buses were cheaply available. This, coupled with high rate of profits, freedom of entry into business and absence of regulations, attracted a large number of enterprising people owning a bus or two. To attract greater patronage rates were often reduced so much that they just covered the operating expenses. On the other hand, passenger amenities such as good seating accommodation, well-ventilated buses, waiting rooms, drinking water facilities, canteens, etc., were hardly available. This state of affairs improved considerably with the passing of the Motor Vehicles Act of 1939. But if public interest was to be safeguarded against private competition, the management must not be vested in private hands but in a public body devoid of a selfish motive. This was realised only after Independence, and hence, road transport was nationalised in 1949. Subsequently, a divisional office was established at Ratnagiri.

Statistics of Routes.

The table given below gives various routes in operation, route mileage and the average number of passengers travelled per day by different routes:—

TABLE 5.

ROUTE MILEAGE, NUMBER OF TRIPS AND AVERAGE NUMBER OF

PASSENGERS TRAVELLED IN RATNAGIRI DIVISION.

TABLE No. 5-contd.

TABLE No. 5-contd.

*These routes. are operated for city service in Ratnagiri town.

The following table describes the net work of routes by indicating the number of routes emanating from each station:—

TABLE No. 6.

NUMBER OF ROUTES EMANATING FROM EACH STATION IN RATNAGIRI DIVISION.

*This includes the six routes of city service in Ratnagiri town.

Depots and Garage.

The Corporation maintains, at various important places in the division, depots and garages equipped with workshops to carry out routine maintenance and service of vehicles. On 28th of February 1955, the division had three depots with workshops one each at Ratnagiri, Chiplun and Sawantwadi. The division had at the same time five garages one each at Deorukh, Dapoli, Deogad, Malvan and Vijayadurg. There were bus stations at Ratnagiri, Chiplun, Sawantwadi''. Dapoli Deorukh, Deogad, Malvan and Vijayadurg; and bus stands, at Sangameshwar, Banda, Khed, Guhagar, Shiroda, Vengurla, Rajapur, Sakharpa and Harnai. Ratnagiri, Chiplun, Khed, Dapoli, Guhagar, Deorukh, Vijayadurg, Sawantwadi, Deogad, Malvan, Shiroda, Banda, Vengurla, Rajapur, Sakharpa, Harnai and Sangameshwar were served by booking offices. The facility of waiting rooms was provided at Sawantwadi, Malvan, Kudal, Vengurla, Shiroda, Banda, Aronda, Deogad, Ganapatipule, Vijayadurg, Phonda, Sakharpa, Deorukh, Rajapur, Pali, Ratnagiri, Sangameshwar, Chiplun, Guhagar, Khed, Dapoli, Harnai, Lanje and Kankavli.

Passenger Amenities.

Considerable amenities are provided to passengers such as well-ventilated, spacious and upholstered buses, waiting rooms, canteens, drinking water, cloakroom, lavatory, etc., at important stations. Special buses are provided on important occasions like fairs, melas, etc. The Corporation also provides casual contract service at reasonable rates. Every attempt is made to regulate speed and to keep to the scheduled arrival and departure timings. In case of break-downs, relief buses are immediately run. Sheds and stands are provided at important places. Every bus is equipped with a first-aid box.

Fares.

The present rate of 5 nP. per mile is arrived at, on the basis of the Corporation's operations throughout the State. However, in practice, rates are charged on the basis of number of stages travelled, a stage consisting of four miles. The minimum fare is prescribed at 20 nP. Half rates, subject to the minimum of 10 nP., are charged for children above 3 years and below 12 years.

Staff.

The administrative staff includes the Divisional Controller, Divisional Statistician, Divisional Auditor, Labour Officer and other staff working directly under them. The staff concerned with traffic consists of the Divisional Traffic Officer, Assistant Traffic Superintendent, Traffic Inspectors, Fuel Inspectors, Traffic Controllers, Drivers, Conductors, Porters and Watermen. Under the workshop staff come the Divisional Mechanical Engineer, Divisional Works Superintendent, Assistant works Superintendent, etc.

Method of recruitment.

Divisional Selection Committee is appointed for selection of staff having a basic pay up to Rs. 100 per month. This Committee consists of (1) a member of the State Road Transport Corporation, who is ex-officio the chairman; (2) the Divisional Controller; (3) the District Superintendent of Police and (4) the Divisional Traffic Officer. As far as possible, the employees of the ex-operators are employed. In their case, the Committee may waive the minimum requirements subject to the approval of the Corporation.

Central Selection Committee for the State has been appointed to fill the posts carrying a monthly salary of above Rs. 100 and below Rs. 200. It consists of four members three of whom are members of the Corporation Board and the fourth is the Deputy General Manager (Engineering). One of the members of the Corporation Board acts as the Chairman. For filling the posts of the status of Class I and Class II officers with a minimum salary of Rs. 200 and above per month, a Service Board consisting of the members of the Corporation is set up.

Welfare Activities.

Welfare of the workers is also looked after. Rest-rooms have been provided to workers at Ratnagiri and Sawantwadi depots. Clubs have been started at all the units in the division and are provided with sports material such as volley-ball sets and carrom boards. A daily newspaper is also supplied to all the units by the Corporation,

There is a workers' union called "State Transport Workers Union, Ratnagiri". It is registered and affiliated to the Indian National Trade Union Congress. The branch offices of the Union are located at Chiplun, Dapoli, Sawantwadi, Deorukh, Deogad, Malvan and Vijayadurg. It has a membership of 508 workers on its roll. Relations between the workers' union and management in the division are very cordial.

Goods Transport.

The division also undertakes goods transport on a small scale. At the end of February 1955, 21 trucks were attached to the division, which handled 387.6 tons during the month, out of which rice, paddy and other grains accounted for 286.5 tons.

The commodities handled were sent both within and outside the district.

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