Nationalization Grows in India
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THE naOnalized transport system which commenced operations in the United Provinces of India in May, 1947, now runs 1,290 buses, 583 goods .vehicles and 47 taxis. Known as U.P. Roadways, the system covers 4,600 miles out of a total of 10,000 miles of metalled roads in the State. Over 200 services are operated.
In Madras State the Minister of Transport has announced that the Government is considering the nationalization of municipal undertakings in the State, as well as private operators in. the South Arcot, Chingleput and Nellore districts.
Before next June, 50 new oil-engiried buses with increased seating capacity will be put into service. The transpOrt department has recommended that British oil-erigined buses with a seating capacity of 45 and room for 15 standing passengers should replace all existing Imises. Of the present fleet of 322 buses. a number of Italian manufacture had been withdrawn from service because of the difficulty of obtaining spare parts from Italy, the Minister said recently. A further recommendation of the Madras Government is that in future taxation of buses would be arranged to induce the operation of larger vehicles. The proposal, which suggests a diminishing scale of taxation for vehicles seating more than a specified minimum number of passengers, is under consideration.
As a first step towards nationalization, the Government of Bihar is taking over the operation of the Patna-Ranchi route, and the town services in Patna and Ranehi. One hundred buses will be used on the Patna town service, 50 in Ranchi and eight on the Patna-Raney route. The question of compensation for displaced operators is under consideration by the Government.