GSRTC to launch Twitter handle, helpline number for passengers

Gandhinagar, Feb 16: In view of two major mishaps involving state transport buses in the last ten days in which nearly 50 people lost their lives, the Gujarat road transport department has decided to launch a Twitter handle and helpline numbers to take complaints from passengers.

The announcement was made yesterday by state Road Transport Minister Vijay Rupani as part of the government's exercise to reduce the road fatalities involving buses of state-owned Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC).

"In coming days, we will launch our own Twitter handle, where passengers can send their grievances and complaints through their tweets. Our staff will try to resolve these complaints as soon as possible," said Rupani.

"We are also in the process of launching two helpline numbers, including a toll free number, where passengers can lodge their complaint," he said, expressing concern over two recent accidents where at least 50 persons lost their lives.

In the first mishap, as many as 42 people were killed when a state road transport bus plunged into Purna river in Navsari district on February 5.

Two days back, eight persons lost their lives when a bus overturned near Savarkundla town of Amreli district, said Rupani.

According to him, the state government is also planning to buy new buses and replace them with those which are unfit as per the set standards.

"As per our standard, any bus which is either 8 years old or has operated for 8 lakh kms is unfit and needs to be replaced. As of now, around 250 out of total 8,052 buses are unfit, as per these criteria. This year, we are planning to buy 1,600 new buses and put them into service in phase-wise manner," Rupani added.

PTI