No spare parts,115 buses kept off roads

“After the first couple of years,buses undergo some wear and tear for which we need spare parts . However,Tata Motor’s response has been very poor,” said a senior BEST official. He added that the issue was brought to the general manager’s attention only last week during a meeting with the engineering department. “The newer buses,under warranty pose no problems but if this predicament continues for the next three or four years what are we to do?” said the official.

With the approaching monsoon,the availability of these buses may be crucial as the undertaking’s disaster management plan has not made provisions for a new fleet.

“Some buses are in repair. But those stalled due to lack of spare parts are hampering the available fleet,” said Aakash Purohit,BJP corporator and member of the BEST committee.

N Walavalkar,BEST public relations officer,said,“We are trying to use as many buses as possible. Since we keep some on standby,our services are not affected much.” At present BEST undertaking has 4,700 buses of which a total of 425 will be pulled out of normal operations for emergency situations during the rains from 25 bus depots.

At the BEST committee meeting,General Manager O P Gupta said that a notice has been served to the company.

Tata Motors maintains that it has regularly been supplying spare parts as per the undertaking’s needs. “At least 80 per cent of orders have been delivered and the remaining 20 per cent is in the process of being delivered,” said a Tata Motors spokesperson,adding that the company has even discussed offering to create a special stock of spare parts through its channel partner.

However,senior officials at the undertaking said,“We do not have a supply partner,it is a direct transaction between Tata Motors and BEST.”

Walavalkar said,“We will arrange a meeting with their officials and then decide what to do.”