Lucknow, June 4, 2007: Outlining his government's strong
commitment towards holistic development of the state transport
sector in Uttar Pradesh, Transport Minister Sri Ram Achal
Rajbhar today initiated action towards this end by inviting
private sector transporters from all over the state to take
part in a Transport Development Conference held at the
Scientific Convention Center in Lucknow.
The
conference was hosted by the state transport department, and
was also attended by Sri Pradeep Shukla, Principal Secretary
Transport, Sri Rajendra Kumar Tiwari, Transport Commissioner
UP, Sri Deo Datta, MD UPSRTC, along with senior officers from
UPSRTC and the Transport Commissioner's establishment.
Welcoming the
Transport Minister to the conference, the Transport
Commissioner delivered a keynote address highlighting the
importance of road transport in the overall development of the
state. He also advocated certain steps to help convert the
transport department into an industry. “Using multi axel
vehicles will not only add to the efficiency of the vehicles
but will also generate good revenue for both the parties,
besides helping in a pollution-free environment. If we want to
increase the economy of the state by 10 to 12 per cent, the
transport industry should also grow at a rate of 20 per cent
per annum.
Called upon to
narrate their problems with sincerity and clarity, the
representatives of the bus and truck transport associations
took this opportunity to enumerate their problems ranging from
high costs of diesel and spare parts, strict challaning by
transport & police officials, to the problem of overloading
which according to them had to be resorted to in order to make
their operations viable. They also pointed out that a
combination of these problems was responsible for the
transport sector not developing at the pace that it should
have.
Speaking on the
occasion, the Transport Minister assured the transporters that
their genuine problems would be looked into, and promised
every possible help in their growth. “I am also available to
you whenever you want to meet me and I will also try to
organise such interactions frequently to help us serve you
better,’’ promised the minister. To allegations of corrupt
practices by transport department officials, the minister made
it clear that he would have these issues investigated, and
take action against erring officials.
