Nagpur: Missing spare parts from several scrapped city buses sparked a sharp debate in the general body meeting, with the civic administration confirming that penalties will be imposed on private operators.Raising the issue, ruling party leader Narendra aka Balya Borkar alleged that during the auction of 240 buses procured under the JNNURM scheme, several vehicles were found without engines and key spare parts. He said the buses were more than 15 years old and were auctioned after valuation, but major components were missing. He also questioned the continued financial support to private operators despite losses in the city transport system. Mayor Neeta Thakre directed the administration to clarify the matter in the house. Transport manager Meghna Vasanakar informed the house that three buses were destroyed in fire incidents, while the remaining 237 were auctioned in two phases — 123 in the first phase and 114 in the second. During inspection, spare parts and engines were found missing from several buses. She said parts were missing from 59 buses operated by Travel Time, 49 by Hansa, and 15 by RK City. Accordingly, penalties of Rs11.62 lakh, Rs16.99 lakh, and Rs3.77 lakh respectively have been imposed, and the amount will be recovered from the operators. Former transport committee chairman Bandu Raut demanded that an FIR be registered against the operators, alleging theft. Vasanakar assured the house that appropriate action would be taken. Meanwhile, another former transport committee chairman, Jitendra Kukde, demanded a comparison of daily revenue earned during the tenure of the earlier operator and the current Chalo app-based system. Mayor Thakre said if any irregularities are found in the bus auction or operations, a detailed probe should be conducted and strict action taken against concerned officials. She also directed the transport department and committee to jointly review the entire matter.
