SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) has contradicted the claim of Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie Lyngdoh that it was asked to operate 50 SPTS buses.
A day after the minister said there was no response from MTC to the suggestion of the Urban Affairs Department to run 50 buses, a source in MTC said only 21 buses were offered to be operated by the transport corporation.
Moreover, the routes suggested by the Urban Affairs Department were uneconomic. Besides, the security deposit to run the buses was found to be high.
According to the MTC official, it was from July 23, 2011, till January 31, 2013, that MTC had operated the 50 buses.
MTC had earned profit during the period and this was even acknowledged by the CAG in its report.
Soon after taking over the urban and municipal affairs portfolio, Lyngdoh had said he would review the allotment of buses to be operated by private parties.
However, as per a letter of MUDA last December, four private parties and MTC were selected to operate buses.
As per the notification, the tenders of Shanborlang Lyngdoh, Mawlai Iewrynghep (49 buses allotted), John Paul Basaisawmoit and Banlumlang Kharbamon, Mawlai Makynroh (22 buses), W.S Chyne, Mawlai Makynroh, Seven Brothers Social Welfare Organisation, Kynshi, West Khasi Hills and MTC (21 buses each) were accepted by MUDA.
However, after the meeting of the MTC officials, it was decided not to go ahead with the operation of the 21 buses since the routes were uneconomic. Moreover, MTC was having its own financial constraints as one of the conditions was to pay security deposit.
