Bhubaneswar, Mar 27: The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) is grappling with financial instability as its expenses continue to outweigh its income, creating a concerning trend.

Over the last two years, the corporation has incurred losses totaling Rs 45.46 crore, with Rs 18.83 crore lost in 2022-23 and Rs 26.62 crore in 2023-24. Despite revenue growing from Rs 145 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 156.43 crore in 2023-24, the expenditure escalated even higher, reaching Rs 183.06 crore in the latest fiscal year.

This alarming financial imbalance was revealed by Odisha's Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena at the Odisha Legislative assembly on Thursday.

Alongside these losses, operational issues have compounded OSRTC's struggles. Out of 540 buses procured in the past decade, 109 have been rendered inoperable due to mechanical failures. Astonishingly, some buses remain idle for years awaiting minor repairs, such as air-conditioning maintenance.

The Transport Department has assured accountability but stated in the assembly that no departmental official is presently held responsible for these issues. With buses gathering dust and losses piling up, stakeholders are demanding urgent reforms to restore OSRTC's operational and financial health.

Analysts suggest that reducing maintenance delays, improving operational efficiency, and adopting cost-cutting measures could help OSRTC transition from financial despair to a sustainable future.

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