KOLHAPUR: An acute shortage of drivers and conductors has restrained the Kolhapur division of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) from starting a bus service within or outside the state.We are short of 200 drives and conductors across the district. There is a demand for bus service along routes such Mumbai, Nasik, Shirdi, Vijapur and Bangalore. But, unfortunately due to an acute staff shortage, we are forced to halt our expansion," said, divisional controller of Kolhapur division, Navneet Bhanap.Bhanap said, "State transport of Kolhapur division covers 12 taluka depots which is well connected to the rural parts of the district. Besides covering the rural areas, the district is well connected to other parts of the state. The current manpower is not sufficient to cater the rush. Unless the authorities deploy more drivers and conductors, we will not be in a position to start an additional bus service. We have already sent a proposal to the central office for additional driver and conductors."Kolhapur division was excluded from the recent recruitment drives across the state.Another senior MSRTC official said, "The division has been facing a shortage of 200 drivers and conductors for the past one year. We had submitted a report highlighting the requirement of manpower but not a single official was appointed in Kolhapur division during the recent recruitment drive. The lack of adequate manpower has been affecting our operations. This is forcing us to postpone our development plans."At present, there are 1756 drivers and 1814 conductors employed in the Kolhapur division. The major challenge before the MSRTC is to retain and expand its consumer base.

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