Panaji: Amid rising fuel costs from the ongoing geopolitical conflict in West Asia, Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) has introduced measures to improve operational efficiency and contain losses.“Surging retail and institutional diesel rates have pushed monthly operational expenditure gaps to between Rs 60 lakh and Rs 70 lakh. We have heightened driver efficiency tracking as a result,” KTC general manager Mahendra Pednekar told TOI.KTC is focusing on driving habits to improve the average mileage of its buses from 4 km per litre to 4.2-4.5 km per litre. The corporation expects the marginal improvement to generate substantial savings across its fleet.Under the monitoring system, KTC maintains daily and monthly mileage cards for each driver and tracks the KPTL (kilometres per 10 litres of fuel) ratio against assigned routes. Drivers recording shortfalls or displaying inefficient driving patterns are sent for targeted retraining on smooth acceleration, speed management and proper gear shifting.“Altering or shortening route lengths to save fuel has been ruled out, as route modifications would compromise essential public coverage on high-demand passenger sectors,” Pednekar said.A major factor behind the revised strategy was the sharp rise in institutional diesel prices. While retail diesel prices increased from Rs 85 to about Rs 95 per litre, institutional or industrial rates rose sharply, at times reaching Rs 110-135 per litre.To reduce losses, KTC phased out institutional purchases and switched entirely to retail procurement. “Under contracts with local suppliers, including fuel stations in Panaji and Margao, private bowsers now deliver diesel directly to individual KTC depots at retail rates, allowing us to avoid high institutional premiums,” Pednekar said.Despite the higher fuel costs, the corporation will not increase bus fares. “We offer service to the public through these buses. We cannot shift the burden onto commuters through fare hikes,” he added.
