TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Kadamba Transport Corporation is in the process of appointing a consulting firm for outlining a road map to bring the loss making Corporation back into the green. The firm is expected to begin work from mid-October.
KTC is wobbling in the red, despite nationalizing routes, with recorded loss of around Rs 15 crore for 2012-13 fiscal. The deficit is slightly higher, compared to last year, where a loss of Rs 14 crore was incurred. KTC has recently cleared Rs 42.5 crore loan taken from the Goa State Co-Operative Bank (GSCB).
Speaking to Herald, KTC Chairman Carlos Almeida said the scrutiny committee is in the process of verifying the documents of the companies that have bided for the project. He said that three companies have applied to the tender notice issued in May.
“Six months time would be given to the consulting firm to prepare a road map. He would also have to guide the Corporation in identifying the profit making routes along with increasing revenue and reducing costs,” Almeida said adding ‘by mid October the firm is expected to start work’.
Almeida admitted that KTC has been incurring huge losses and assured a total revamp of the Corporation. The Transport Minister during the Budget Session of the State Legislative Assembly had assured to revamp of the Corporation by appointing a consultant.
The loss-making KTC is also contemplating the possibility of commercialisation of bus stands with proper tie-ups with the super markets all across the State. Computerisation of all depots is yet another major step initiated contemplated by KTC to reduce unnecessary expenditure.
“We have great social obligations. If we are making losses on particular route we cannot stop services there as people will face hardship. As of now on an average we incur a loss of around Rs 5 lakh per day,” he said.
KTC recorded loss of around Rs 15 crore for 2012-13 fiscal, it was Rs 14 crore last fiscal
