New Delhi: A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, tabled in the Delhi Assembly today, revealed alarming inefficiencies and financial losses in the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). The audit, covering 2015-16 to 2021-22, found that the DTC incurred operational losses of ₹14,198.86 crore due to poor planning, outdated buses, and systemic failures.
Key Findings:
Declining Fleet & Aging Buses: DTC’s operational buses dropped from 4,344 (2015-16) to 3,937 (2022-23), with 44.96% of buses overaged as of March 2023.
-Inefficient Operations: The corporation’s fleet utilization (76-85%) and vehicle productivity (180-201 km/day) were below national averages, leading to revenue losses.
Failed Tech Upgrades: Despite spending ₹52.45 crore**, CCTV systems in buses remain non-functional. The Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) has been defunct since May 2020.
– Unrecovered Dues: DTC failed to recover ₹225.31 crore** from the Transport Department for services like parking and water charges.
– Missed Revenue: Poor route planning and frequent breakdowns resulted in **₹668.60 crore in lost earnings.
CAG Recommendations:
- Urgent fleet modernization to replace old buses.
- Strict operational monitoring to reduce inefficiencies.
- Fast-track implementation of AFCS and CCTV systems.
- Boost non-fare revenue through ads and commercial use of depot space.
Official Response Awaited:
The Delhi government has not yet reacted to the findings, but transport experts demand immediate reforms to revive the struggling public transporter.
The report highlights critical gaps in DTC’s management, raising concerns over its financial sustainability unless corrective action is taken swiftly.