Tamil Nadu - Others   

1, 500 buses to be bought soon: Minister

Staff Reporter

HELPING HAND: Transport Minister K.N. Nehru distributing assistance to a farmer in Ponnamaravathy near Pudukottai on Friday. Union Minister of State for Home S. Regupahy (extreme left) and Collector S.J. Chiru (centre) look on. — Photo: M. Mo orthy

PUDUKOTTAI: The State Transport Corporation will purchase a total of 1,500 buses before March as part of its efforts to improve bus services by replacing the old ones, Transport Minister K.N. Nehru has said.

Speaking at a function to inaugurate new bus-routes on Ponnamaravathy-Tiruchi and Ponnamaravathy-Tirupur sectors at Ponnamaravathy near here on Friday, Mr. Nehru said that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government has so far purchased 2,230 new buses in the past eight months.

The previous regime had purchased only 5,000 buses during its entire tenure.

The Pudukottai division of the State Transport Corporation has introduced 10 new routes, while the Kumbakonam division, 146 services.

Mr. Nehru also said that new bus routes between Ponnamaravathy and Coimbatore, Salem and Chennai would be introduced shortly. A survey on the introduction of service between Ponnmaravathy and Tiruchendur would be taken up.

Fare is lowest

The bus fare, at 28 paise a km, was the lowest when compared to the tariff in the adjoining States, which had fixed the fare between 48 paise and 58 paise.

The Transport Corporation could augment its services because of the sanctioning of Rs. 230 crore released by the Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, towards free bus passes for school students.

The Union Minister of State for Home, S. Regupathy, said that the Government schemes such as assistance to pregnant women and the weaker sections indicated its social concern.

The Collector, S.J. Chiru, presided over the function.

Mr. Nehru gave away cash assistance and agricultural inputs to about 470 persons to the tune of Rs. 17 lakh.

A total of 420 pregnant women received cash to the tune of Rs.4.20 lakh.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Kalam inaugurates first-ever B. Tech course for hearing impaired students
Explain reasons for withdrawal from dam talks: Kerala
Different brands under one roof at expo
1, 500 buses to be bought soon: Minister
Water scheme works on
Agrotech exhibition begins
"Do research to make big changes"
Buses to ply on ghat road from today
AIADMK Councillors stage walkout
Computer centre opened at Vittampalayam

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu