KTCL overhauls ‘polluting’ bus from viral clip, brings it back on the road

PANAJI: Following social media censure over its polluting exhaust, a state-run local bus has been repaired and put back on its route.
The Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd (KTCL) bus GA 03 X-0336 was pulled off the road for two weeks after a video showing it emitting clouds of jet black fumes went viral on social media.
It saw the authorities receiving much flak on social media and placed sharp focus on the issue of PUC check and certificate issuance for public transport vehicles.
The video was captured by an unidentified man travelling behind the bus. “The common man is burdened with getting a mandatory PUC certificate to drive their own vehicle, but how does the RTO or traffic police not see this public bus releasing black smoke? Is there any servicing done? Has the engine oil been changed? What maintenance is KTC doing?” the citizen recording the video can be heard saying.
The vehicle was soon recalled and taken to the KTCL workshop in Porvorim for inspection.
Sources said that the engine’s nozzle wasn’t giving out sparks owing to which debris was dripping into the piston chamber.
“The vehicle has four injectors, one of which was clogged leading to dripping. Due to this, the fuel wouldn’t burn properly thus emitting black smoke,” KTCL general manager Sanjay Ghate said.
KTCL workshop officials said their vehicles are sent for PUC checks every six months and their buses are condemned every eight to 10 years.
“It is common among old buses to develop exhaust problems even after passing the PUC test. The smoke can be caused by engine problem or adulterated fuel. When we come across it, we issue a challan and ask the bus drivers to identify the problem. Such matters must be rectified by the KTCL immediately. They mustn’t wait for us to tell them to fix it,” a transport department official said.