Mizoram transport dept tastes profit after 30 years

Aizawl, May 8 : The Mizoram Transport department, a loss-making organisation since its inception thirty years back, has finally overshoot its revenue target by nearly Rs 75 lakhs.

This was revealed at a year-end review meeting held here today in the state Transport minister's office.

According to the records here, the Transport department had set a target of Rs 655 lakhs during 2005-06 but reached Rs 729.62 lakhs, overshooting its target by Rs 74.38 lakhs.

Sources inteh department said that it was possible due to purchase of four new buses at the cost of Rs 28.25 lakhs. Earlier there were very few buses plying on long service routes.

The Transport department has renovated the new Inter-State bus terminus at Chaltlang, which is expected to be completed next year.

District Transport Offices were also opened in the districts of Champhai, Saiha, Kolasib and Serchhip last year, which had been computerised.

The department would boost ticket sales by introducing scratch cards on the tickets, through which passengers can win prizes. In order to earn more revenues, the MST department would be allowing advertisements in its buses to increase revenue.

UNI