UPSRTC to add 1500 new buses

LUCKNOW: The state transport department has decided to include 1500 new buses in its fleet. While the department is planning to purchase 40 air-conditioned buses, it is likely to rope in 50 more such buses on contract from private entrepreneurs.

Presenting the annual budget in the state assembly on Thursday, transport minister Durga Prasad Yadav said the department was committed to provide quality services to the people and effective measures were being taken in current budget to achieve the target.

He said the process to identify 10 bus stations and develop them on the PPP model was also going on. Under the plan, these bus stations would have shopping complex, Mall and multiplexes. He said in order to provide more facilities to passengers, the UPSRTC has launched an ambitious scheme of pre-paid smart card, which apart from fare payment would also be useful in shopping anywhere in the country.

The transport department has envisaged a revenue collection of Rs 3950 in 2014-15. Yadav said there was also budgetary provision of Rs 12 crore for establishment of road safety fund to enhance safety measures and educate people about traffic rules. Moreover, Rs one crore had also been earmarked for road safety plan. He said there was also provision of Rs 5.22 crore for data digitization of vehicles and smart card registration. The department has also planned the uplift of regional offices with an estimated expenditure of Rs 16.68 crore and Rs 32 lakh for establishment of inspection and certification centre in Lucknow to issue fitness certificate to commercial vehicles. Food and civil supplies The food and civil supplies minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya presented annual budget for food and civil supplies department. The department has planned the complete computerisation scheme for beneficiaries of BPL, APL, Antyodaya.