PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister N Rangasamy inaugurated an automatic bus washing machine at the Pondicherry Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) depot here on Wednesday.
PRTC chairman N Gnanasegaran and other officials were present at the event.
At present, the PRTC has a fleet of 100 regular buses and 12 Volvo buses, which will use the facility installed at a cost of `4 lakh. Brushes are placed on either sides of the machine which is fitted with a water jet spray.
With the monsoon approaching, the device will help clean buses quickly, said P Devaraj, Managing Director, PRTC, adding that it would take just five to 10 minutes to clean each bus.
Meanwhile, the Transport Corporation is also planning to expand its fleet. Under the JNNURM, the Transport Corporation will be procuring 20 Tata Star buses and another 20 mini (19-seater) buses. This will be done at a cost involving `20 crore. ‘The Tata Star buses which are expected to arrive in three months’ time, will be plied on the routes of Cuddalore, Villupuram and Tindivanam.