Chennai: It is a Chalta hai attitude ruling the day in MTC buses with spare parts not being provided on time and drivers being asked to adjust. The absence of spare parts and technicians is leading to a dangerous situation where both people and crew will lose. Crew on buses are being asked to buy products outside as the depots spare shops do not have them.
A. P. Anbalazhan, vice president of the Tamil Nadu state transport employees association says, “The problem is persistent and according to a committee formed by the transport department, every 100 buses need 125 technicians to attend to them. But currently the number is at an abysmal 68.”
Slamanul Faris, a resident of Perungudi, says, “Last time during the rains I was travelling back home and the bus I was using had no running wiper. The driver was forced to stop and wipe the windshield with cloth.”
Anbalazhan adds, “Every depot has a spare parts store but most of them do not have spares. When the crew approaches the technicians they say that the parts are not available.
They are subsequently asked to purchase it outside which could give way to purchase of lower quality products; otherwise, they have to wait for a month or two.” He speaks of instances where the tyre was purchased from somewhere else and the tube from elsewhere.
N. Raj, president of the MTC union. says, “There is a shortage of spare parts in the depots. But weekly checks are being done regularly.”
MTC officials, when contacted, deny the problem and say that all depots have sufficient number of technicians and spare parts. Speaking of procurement of spare parts an official said, “We are purchasing on a need-to basis and currently there is no deficit in any of the depots and more than two technicians for a bus.”
