RTC on cost cutting mode; to use LED bulbs in depots

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has decided to cut down unwanted expenditure by taking up several measures, which includes going in for LED bulbs in the Bus Bhavan and all depots across the State.

According to sources, in a recent meeting, the higher officials have given directions to the zonal level officers to take up measures to reduce the expenditure.

“Saving is a part of serving the organisation in a better way, be in the form of saving diesel and increasing kilometers per litre or decreasing the expenditure in the stationary and other measures.

Every rupee saved would help the organisation,” said a senior official. The officials have planned to cut down the electricity bill by going in for LED bulbs.

The corporation wants to replace the existing fluorescent tubes with LED bulbs at the Bus Bhavan, RTC headquarters, and all depots in the Greater Hyderabad Zone (28 depots in GHMC) during the Phase-1and later extend it to other major depots in the State.

The official said the existing power consumption at the Bus Bhavan and depots in Greater Hyderabad was to the tune of Rs 12 lakh per month. By shifting to LED lights, the power consumption would be reduced by 50 per cent.

The life span of LEDs is up to 60,000 burning hours compared to 1,500 burning hours for incandescent bulbs and 6,000 burning hours of fluorescent tubes.

Besides long lifespan of LEDs, maintenance cost is less compared to the traditional incandescent and fluorescent tubes, according to the official. The corporation has taken a loan of Rs 13.4 crore from the HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation) for the purpose.

The officials have decided to withdraw outsourced employees from the RTC Kala Bhavan since it was given on lease. These outsourced employees would be used in the transportation wing, said the official.

The officials have also decided not to procure excess machinery parts and are planning to procure as and when there is a need for the parts. The lower-level officials have been asked to decrease the expenditure on stationary and computers. Officials said several such measures were likely to help the corporation save at least Rs 5 crore annually.