Tripura Transport PSEs Facing Asset–Manpower Mismatch.
Agartala, Feb 18: The functioning of the Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC) and the Tripura Urban Transport Corporation Limited (TUTCL) has exposed serious gaps in planning, coordination and oversight within Tripura’s Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs).
A recent study has highlighted sharp structural and financial contrasts between the two state-run transport bodies. The findings point to deep-rooted anomalies in asset management and manpower deployment.
University Study Flags Structural Imbalance
The study, titled “Evaluation of Finances of the State of Tripura”, was conducted by a research team from Tripura University.
It was led by Subhrabaran Das as Principal Investigator, with Kiran Bhowmik as Research Associate and Srijan Debnath as Research Assistant.
The report presents a detailed comparative analysis of TRTC and TUTCL. It describes their contrasting trajectories as both unusual and revealing.
Asset–Manpower Mismatch
The study found a striking inversion of assets and personnel between the two corporations.
TUTCL owns 173 vehicles. However, it reportedly operates with only one employee. It has no dedicated office building, parking space, or directly recruited drivers and conductors.
In contrast, TRTC has a full workforce of more than 125 employees. Yet, it controls only 27 vehicles.
Profit on Paper, Stress in Practice
Despite lacking infrastructure and manpower, TUTCL has consistently reported profits. Audit reports show it remained profitable from 2010–11 to 2023–24, except in 2010–11.
The corporation posted its highest profit of ₹56.89 lakh in 2015–16. It also recorded a profit of ₹41.51 lakh in 2023–24.
However, the study cautions that these profits “do not show the actual picture.”
On the other hand, TRTC has faced severe financial stress. Between 2017–18 and 2022–23, it incurred a cumulative loss of ₹4.35 crore. A sharp loss of ₹3.63 crore in 2022–23 alone worsened the situation.
During the same six-year period, TRTC’s annual income fell drastically. It declined from ₹22.24 crore in 2017–18 to ₹11.85 crore in 2022–23. Employee expenditure did not decline proportionately, increasing the financial burden.
Accounting Treatment Raises Questions
TUTCL acquired 173 buses between 2010 and 2015 under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM).
The total cost of the buses was about ₹43 crore. The funding came in a 90:10 ratio from the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, and the Transport Department of the Government of Tripura.
TUTCL’s authorized capital is ₹10 crore. However, its paid-up capital stands at only ₹90.10 lakh.
Under Accounting Standard (AS) 12 on government grants, the book value of the 173 buses is recorded at just ₹173 — effectively ₹1 per bus — in its accounts.
As a result, revenue earned from operating these buses may not reflect the true financial position of the corporation.
The study noted that TUTCL never had the financial strength to independently procure such a large fleet. It also lacks resources to replace aging buses. Since 2017, it has reportedly not received any grants from the State Government.
Poor Asset Utilisation
Data from the Economic Review of Tripura 2022–23 shows low utilisation of assets.
Out of 173 buses, only 47 were operational. Among 76 off-route buses, 50 were handed over to TRTC. The remaining 26 were lying idle in TRTC parking facilities and continuing to depreciate.
Call for Merger
The study underscored the broader implications of maintaining two transport corporations with similar functions. It described the arrangement as inefficient and economically questionable.
Given the limited urban scale of Tripura, the report suggested that a separate urban transport corporation may not be financially viable.
It recommended merging TUTCL and TRTC into a single unified entity.
According to the study, a consolidated transport body could ensure better use of manpower and assets.
It could improve transparency, strengthen operational efficiency, and enhance the State’s overall fiscal health.