The Transport Department is looking at various means for increasing revenue including monetisation of land, opening of petrol pumps, P. W. C. Davidar, Additional Chief Secretary, Transport Department, Government of Tamil Nadu said.
Speaking at the conference on Chennaiinfra organised by Confederation of Indian Industry, he pointed out the Metropolitan Transport Corporation with a loss of ₹8 crore a day and restriction on tariff increase is facing challenges in terms of modernising fleet.
Mr. Davidar pointed out the State is charging 42 paise per km when compared to 67 paise per km charged by other states, who have been constantly increasing fares.
He pointed out that the department is looking to augment its revenue through non-traditional means and one of the steps would be opening of 100 petrol pumps in national and state highways.
“We would identify strategic and viable locations and take the help of three public sector oil firms,” Mr. Davidar added.
He also said another option would be monetise the land in 33 depots and develop retail and food outlets there through private participation.
The department is also considering plying buses on a hub and spoke basis in addition to the current destination to destination service, Mr. Davidar said.
The transport corporation also would operate buses to fill the gaps in the metro rail project till the completion of the project. MTC would operate buses from Nehru Park to Central Railway station, he said.
