THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state is likely to lose 400 Volvo buses allotted by the centre under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) with the state government failing to claim the funds worth Rs 218 crore on time leaving the commuters at the receiving end. According to sources, the time allotted by the centre has lapsed, leaving the project for the consideration of the new dispensation in New Delhi. The delay has proved costly for the state, which is struggling to woo passengers to use public transportation system and decongest the traffic.
The sub-committee under the cabinet had directed the KSRTC to prepare a proposal to formulate a Karnataka-model Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to claim funds from the centre in January, 2014. “SPV is a must for getting allotment from the centre. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has also raised objection to the proposal of the state citing that the guidelines were not met,” said a top official.
However, Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said that there was apprehension about the project because of the prospect of the change in government at the centre. “We did everything complying with the guidelines and if the project gets lapsed it’s not because of our mistake. We cannot be blamed for the loss,” he said.
Till now, the centre has sanctioned around 313 buses for the state. KSRTC chief traffic officer Sharaf Mohammad said that the proposal to formulate the SPV was forwarded to the government. “But, we are yet to get an intimation from the government,” he said.
