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Pune, May 11: WHEN it comes to Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s (MSRTC) Pune region, the Shivajinagar depot is the best bet for earning profits. With an increased revenue collection in the last fiscal, it continues to be the biggest earning depot.

According to statistics submitted to Mumbai Central headquarters by the Divisional Controller office, the Shivajinagar depot tops the revenue chart with an increased share of Rs 3.86 crore. It is followed by Swargate and Pimpri-Chinchwad depots registering an increase by Rs 1.50 crore and Rs 36 lakh, respectively.

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The 39-year-old Shivajinagar depot has generated Rs 43.71 crore in 2006-07. In 2005-06, the depot earnings were Rs 39.84 crore, which shows an increase by Rs 3.87 crore.

On similar lines is the Swargate depot, which was established along with Shivajinagar. The earnings have risen from Rs 29.63 crore to Rs 31.13 crore registering an increase of Rs 1.50 crore. Even at Pimpri-Chinchwad depot — the youngest of the three — the earnings have risen from Rs 10.38 crore to Rs 10.74 crore registering an increase of Rs 36 lakh. Officials from Shivajinagar depot attribute the performance to an increased kilometre coverage. “We have taken precautions to increase the kilometre coverage per bus. It has been increased by 5.51 kms in 2006-07 from what was 1.82 crore kms in 2005-06,” said senior depot manager Prakash Khandale. He also said that earnings have increased due to introduction of seven Mahabuses (Pune-Mumbai).

Even the region’s performance has increased by leaps and bounds. The earnings have increased from Rs 194.14 crore to 206.36 crore in 2006-07 registering an increase of Rs 12.22 crore. The Pravasi Wadhwa campaign — organised to increase the number of passengers for three months on an experimental basis — is the main saviour.

The region has been able to rope in more 5.51 lakh passengers between January and March, which is considered to be a lean period. “Pune region has received the best region award for March. Narayangaon and Rajgurunagar depots have received the best depot awards,” said divisional controller P P Nimsarkar.

Swargate-Dadar buses
The MSRTC is planning to start Swargate-Dadar buses. “Presently, only Thane and Borivali buses are plying from Swargate. There is a demand to start buses to Dadar from Swargate,” Nimsarkar said.

Source:PUNE NewsLine