BEST staff demand better facilities

The employees had addressed their letter to Ganacharya who brought the issue to the notice the BEST undertaking on Friday.

Working on an energy conservation schedule to save money,the BEST uses just 30 per cent of the installed power capacity at each of its depots from 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm and 3 am to 6 am. The BEST uses 70 per cent of the installed power capacity between 11.30 pm and 3 am.

In the letter,the employees have complained about inadequate lighting,non-functioning of the pit light,hoardlight and other electrical equipment,and potholes inside the depot. Often employees suffer electric shocks due to the ill-maintained equipment,the letter said.

There are nearly 200 vehicles,including 175 buses,parked inside the depot when it is equipped to park just 140 vehicles,the letter said,adding that due to lack of space,the drivers,shunters and mechanics are unable to drive the buses properly.

The employees have also highlighted other such incidents in the past. Last May,a cleaner fractured his leg after falling into the pit due to lack of light.

“As we are tight on money,we have to resort to things such as electricity conservation. We will attend to the dark spots in all the depots and educate our people to be more vigilant,” General Manager O P Gupta said. The BEST has initiated a departmental inquiry against the driver who allegedly run over Waghmare,he said.