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Delhi: Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has suffered a huge loss of Rs 14,198.86 crore between 2015-16 and 2021-22. This was revealed in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) presented in the Assembly today (March 24, 2025). The report blames the deteriorating condition of DTC bus service, mismanagement and financial irregularities for the poor condition. DTC did not make a concrete business or visionary plan. There was also no MoU with the government. Clear targets were not set to stop the operating loss.
According to the report, DTC had 4,344 buses in 2015-16. In 2022-23, it came down to 3,937. Despite the funds being made available, only 300 electric buses were purchased. A fine of Rs 29.86 crore was imposed on the delay in the supply of buses. Negligence was also shown in collecting the fine. CAG found that 44.96 percent of DTC buses are now old. Therefore, operations are being affected. In 2015, only 5 buses were overage. By 2023, the number has increased to 1,770. CAG’s report has also questioned the operational efficiency of DTC.
CAG report presented in the assembly
DTC could run buses on only 468 routes. The operating cost could not be recovered on any route. The report said that between 2015-22, potential income of Rs 668.60 crore was also lost due to not being able to complete the stipulated kilometers and breakdown of buses. DTC’s negligence has also come to the fore in technical projects. The automatic fare collection system introduced in 2017 has been closed since 2020. The CCTV cameras installed in 3,697 DTC buses at a cost of Rs 52.45 crore in 2021 have not yet been fully operational.
Questions raised on the functioning of DTC
According to the CAG report, the performance of private cluster buses has been better than DTC. Cluster buses are being run more efficiently than DTC. According to the report, DTC does not have the freedom to revise fares. The fare of DTC buses has not been increased since 2009. DTC is dependent on financial assistance from the government. Serious flaws were also found in financial management. According to the report, DTC had to recover 225.31 crores from the Transport Department. The opportunity to increase potential income from commercial use of DTC properties and advertising was also lost.
Due to irregularities in tax matters, DTC had to bear an additional burden of 63.10 crores. Many flaws were also found in human resource management. Many important posts are lying vacant due to not updating the staff policy approved in 2013. At the same time, additional conductors have been engaged in other administrative works. CAG has also described the internal control system as weak.
It was said that the decision making process in DTC is slow. Delays in the purchase of buses, slackness in operations and negligence in recovery from debtors were observed. The report said that DTC has no concrete plan to improve its financial condition. Continuous losses, inefficiency in operations and financial irregularities have increased the crisis on Delhi’s bus service. DTC will have to take effective corrective measures soon to improve the financial condition of the public transport system.
