Angry? Disappointed? Go burn government buses!

Angry? Disappointed? Go burn government buses!
Deccan Herald

Records reveal that the BMTC has suffered its highest ever losses, due to burning of buses by mobs, in the last five years.


Protesting against privatisation? Disapproving of politics? Unhappy with wages? Burn buses.

It only takes a ‘naughty chap’ to bring financial ruin to transport corporations in the State. ‘Bus attacks’ are fast turning out to be the most favoured form of mob retaliation, as proved by the records of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) which has suffered its highest ever loss in the last five years.

A total of 538 buses were damaged in 2004-05, as against eight buses in 2003-04, resulting in losses of Rs 185 lakh in the last year alone.

In fact, the combined losses following the stone-pelting incident at the AITUC rally on July 30 and the protest rally against the sacking of Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Hoskote on August 5 is believed to be around Rs 43 lakh, where 57 buses were damaged. The KSRTC suffered losses up to Rs 20 lakh, while losses to the tune of Rs 40 lakh were borne by the NESRTC and NWSRTC.

Their losses are multiplied because a majority of the buses are not insured. According to a Regional Transport Officer, except for hi-tech buses of the KSRTC and BMTC, the others are not covered under insurance schemes, and internal funds of the respective corporations have to be diverted to make good any loss or damage to its fleet.

KSRTC ManaginDirector M R Sreenivasa Murthy admits they are helpless against such violence.

“Buses are targeted not just because they are large and visible, but also because the mob equates it to the government. One naughty chap in a rally will give vent to his frustration on a stranded bus, and others will follow suit,” Murthy explains.

Despite the losses, the KSRTC does not seem to have a proper strategy in place to deal with unexpected law and order problems. Former managing director of KSRTC Jairaj had during his tenure announced that all services would be withdrawn in case of violence. However, Murthy asserts that it is not ‘practical’, partly because of the unpredictability of such violence. “If there is definite news like a bundh call, we are cautious and provide only skeletal service. But we cannot expect violence each time a protest rally is held, which is why are we are often taken by surprise,” he says.

Also, as Murthy points out, business has to go on. “There are people dependent on our services — a sick man going to a hospital, or a job aspirant attending an interview — we are answerable to them. Being careful does not mean withdrawing services,” Murthy adds.

BMTC Managing Director Upendra Tripathi believes that all losses inevitably trickle down to the public. “The buses are public property and exclusively meant for the service of commuters, hence any damage to it will cause harm not only to us, but to everyone,” Tripathi adds.

THE ATTACKS AND THE LOSSES

(In lakhs of Rupees)

Year Vehicles Cost of Revenue Total damaged damage losses losses

1999-2000 30 3 6 9

2000-01 108 5.75 117.95 123.7

2001-02 43 1.19 8.5 9.69

2002-03 152 2.01 32.13 34.14

2003-04 8 0.07 0 0.07

2004-05 538 144.87 40.6 185.47