The State Transport Corporations will get 1,200 new buses this year to replace the old ones under a major modernisation programme unveiled by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the Assembly on Thursday.
The new buses would cost Rs. 253.80 crore.
Mr. Jayalalithaa said that after the AIADMK came to power three years ago, it revamped the public transport system; at present, 20,684 buses were being operated. The government granted Rs. 38.91 crore for redeeming buses impounded by courts for accidents, and the corporations’ failure to pay victims compensation. It would now release another tranche of Rs. 39.73 crore in advance payment for redeeming 544 buses.
She said 100 small buses were being operated in Chennai to link areas out of the public transport network. As the service evoked good response, the government decided to buy 100 more small buses at a cost of Rs 16.75 crore.
As many places in the State had grown on a par with the district headquarters, they required transport offices for vehicle registration and issue of driving licences, she said. New transport offices would be opened at Manmangalam, Usilampatti, Tiruttani and Cheyyar at a cost of Rs. 2.79 crore. The offices at Chidambaram and Tiruchendur would be upgraded as Regional Transport Offices.
Polytechnics plannedAs part of the government’s efforts at increasing educational opportunities for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Ms. Jayalalithaaa announced measures, including a plan to establish polytechnics and an Industrial Training Institute.
She said polytechnics would be opened at the Nandanar Adi Dravidar Welfare Higher Secondary School at Cuddalore and at the Adi Dravidar Welfare Higher Secondary School at Tiruvallur. An Industrial Training Institute would come up at the Chevvapet Adi Dravidar Higher Secondary School.
