Transport staff oppose privatisation move

The employees of the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) are on a warpath against the state government's decision to lease out several bus stations and depots to private parties.

GSRTC has recently invited tenders from private parties for developing 18 bus stations and depots, to provide better facilities to the general public. The Corporation had proposed to develop various bus stations with better passenger facilities at various places having high marketing potential.

As per the programme, commercial centres and shopping complexes would also be built at bus stations. GSRTC plans to develop the premises on Built Transfer and Lease (BTL) basis for a period of 90 years.

The bus stations and depots identified for developing include Amreli, Bhavnagar, Dhanera, Gariadhar, Godhra Lal Bagh, Harij, Kathlal, Limdi, Mehsana, Nadiad, Prantij, Patan, Rajkot, Savarkundla, Santrampur, Vadodara and Vijapur.

But the opposing employees say that the state is selling off the 18 bus stations and depots to private parties, under the pretext of providing facilities to the public.

The employees also accuse the government of managing the corporation in an unprofessional manner, with the intention of closing it down.

To protest the privatisation plans GSRTC employees held demonstrations and protests on Friday.

The employees will also organise rallies and make representations to the concerned District Collectors tomorrow. Representatives of various ST employee unions, will hold a meeting at Ahmedabad on December 21, to discuss the future strategy of their agitation.