3 transport Corporations witness revenue hike, courtesy better measures

Kolkata: The revenue generation of all the three Corporations of the state Transport department has increased during Durga Puja.

It may be mentioned that the three Corporations — West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC), South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) and North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) — had made elaborate arrangements to ferry people to different Puja pandals. This time there was also option for online booking.

The revenue of WBTC from Chaturthi to Navami has increased to around Rs 4 crore from Rs 3 crore in 2017. Similarly, the revenue generation of SBSTC during Puja is Rs 3.38 crore in 2018 which was Rs 2.67 crore in 2017. Again, the revenue generation of NBSTC is Rs 2.69 crore this year compared to that of Rs 2.12 crore in 2017.

According to senior officials of the state Transport department, better infrastructure and services ensured the increase in revenue generation.

It may be mentioned that the transport infrastructure has improved a lot in the past seven years. Starting from the number of buses, timely services of the same has been ensured and moreover during the Durga Puja, the state Transport department has run additional buses round-the-clock. As a result, pandal-hoppers didn't face any inconvenience in availing public transport service to reach to their destinations.

There were eight different services of WBTC including a tour to Bonedi Barir Puja, Pujas in Kolkata and its surrounding areas, Kolkata's Puja in luxurious buses, tour to Jayrambati and Kamarpukur during Puja. There was also arrangement for visit to Puja mandaps in North Kolkata through waterways. Provision was also there for Puja Parikrama in air-conditioned trams. Similarly, both South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) and NBSTC had made arrangements to take people in buses for tour at Rajbari, Bonedibari and other famous Pujas in South and North Bengal. In North Bengal, there was arrangement for Puja Parikrama in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Malda.

Senior officials of all the three Corporations have closely monitored the situation during Durga Puja and have noted what more measures could be taken to further improve their services next year.