Haryana Roadways in red, Faridabad at bottom

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, February 11

Haryana Roadways is in the red. With losses mounting to Rs 641 crore in the period between April and December 2019, all 24 depots in the state have registered losses.

Faridabad has emerged as the highest loss-making depot with a losses of Rs 44.14 crore in this period, followed by Sonepat and Rohtak with losses of Rs 37.84 crore and Rs 36.01 crore, respectively.

Though losses of seven depots, including Faridabad, have gone down marginally compared to the period between April and December 2018, losses of 17 depots have gone up.

The total losses have increased by Rs 25 crore compared to losses accrued in the corresponding period in 2018, which were Rs 616 crore.

Subhash Lamba of the Sarv Karamchari Sangh said the losses were due to lack of vision and mismanagement at top level, with a majority of buses procured since 2010 in poor condition.

Sources in the department cited improper implementation of bus timings, improper ratio of staff and buses, winding up of profit-making long routes, withdrawal of overtime payment system, growth of private buses and lack of incentive scheme for staff as the reasons for losses.

Transport Minister Mool Chand Sharma said efforts were on to turn the department into a profit-making entity through various measures aimed at improving the public transport system.