E-ticketing, GPS on KMT buses likely

KOLHAPUR: The standing committee of the civic body on Friday approved the Kolhapur Municipal Transport's (KMT) proposal to develop e-ticketing system, install GPS devices on the buses and computerize its administrative work.
The KMT has recently received Rs 2.83 crore as the first installment for developing Intelligence Transport System (ITS) and its depots from the central government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).In March, the government had approved the KMT's proposal worth Rs 7.08 crore for developing its ancillary infrastructure to cater to the needs of 104 new buses in its fleet. Sanjay Bhosale, additional manager in the KMT, said, "A Jaipur-based consultancy firm prepared a detailed project report to develop our ancillary infrastructure. We are going to develop the vehicle tracking system to improve efficiency of the transport system and reduce the losses caused due to plying the buses on unnecessary routes. The e-ticketing system will be introduced to increase the revenue of the transport service."
The KMT had demanded Rs 9.38 crore for developing ancillary infrastructure. However, the central government approved funds worth Rs 7.08 crore of which Rs 4.5 crore will be utilized for the development of depots and Rs 2.58 crore for ITS. Bhosale said, "The committee approved our proposal for executing the tender process for developing ancillary infrastructure. Recently, we have given work order to Ashok Leyland for procuring 75 of the 104 new buses sanctioned by the central government. We are targeting to develop the ancillary infrastructure before the arrival of buses in January next year."
Meanwhile, the civic administration transferred Rs 1 crore to the KMT administration for paying the salaries of drivers, which were due since the last three months.
Moreover, the civic officials decided to come down heavily on the contractors and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 per day for delaying nullah channelization work near Manora Hotel.