IN SERVICE, SINCE 1963

1.0 Historical Background

1.1 With the growth of industrial activities in Durgapur, Government of West Bengal decided to provide an economic, adequate and efficient road transport service to the people of Durgapur industrial township complex. With the avowed objectives, the Government started a state transport service on 1st August 1963 with a fleet of 8 buses as a Departmental Undertaking under the direct control of its Home Department. Initially, transport services were operated only in the township covering a total route length of 65 km. In 1964-65, the fleet strength increased to 25 with a total operating route length of 102 km.

1.2 In 1965-66, long distance mofussil services were first introduced covering total route length of 428 km. and the fleet strength increased to 62 buses. On 15th Aug.1967, the Departmental Undertaking was converted into "Durgapur State Transport Board (DSTB)". The Commissioner of Burdwan was made Ex.-official Chairman of the Board.

1.3 In 1968-69, DSTB extended its activities through augmentation of fleet strength of 100 buses operating in 11 long distance routes and 8 township routes covering a total route length of 1200 km and 176 km respectively.

1.4 In 72-73, Durgapur-Siliguri bus service (550 km. one way) was introduced with 3 new town services and the total route length of long distance and town services went up to 1650 km and 143 km respectively.

1.5 In 1973, DSTB was ultimately converted into a public sector undertaking under the name and style of " Durgapur State Transport Corporation" with effect from 7th December 1973 vide Government of W.B. notification dated 04.12. 73. At that time, the fleet strength of the Corporation was 120 with 874 employees on its roll. Subsequently, many new routes viz. Durgapur-Santaldihi, Durgapur-Tarakeswar, Durgapur-Puri, Durgapur-Gangajalghati, Durgapur-Jiaganj, Durgapur – Sonamukhi, Durgapur-Pandabeswar, Durgapur- Burdwan were also introduced.

2.0 SBSTC Today

2.1 The South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) is the new name given to Durgapur State Transport Corporation w.e.f. 1988 with a view to extending its road transport facilities in several districts of South Bengal viz. Purba & Paschim Burdwan, Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, East and West Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly Jhargram, North and South 24 Parganas. The then sampling of the early ’60s has now grown into a fully grown tree bearing fruits to serve mankind at large. Presently SBSTC is operating 898 fleets through 15 depots located in these districts. Besides depot operation, SBSTC is functioning a premier operator for Kolkata and Karunamoyee routes from Durgapur, Asansol, Bankura, Purulia, Burdwan, Arambag, Midnapur, Jahargram, etc from the important terminals located at Durgapur, Esplanade, Karunamoyee. Relentless efforts are put in by the operation of 718 nos. of fleets daily from the said establishments.

2.2 The management of SBSTC is vested with the Board of Directors constituted by the Government of W.B. including representatives from Transport and Finance Departments, Government of West Bengal, I.G.P.(W), Durgapur, Additional District Magistrates, public representatives and the Managing Director of the Corporation. The constitution of the SBSTC Board is as follows.
 

1. Sri Rajesh Kumar Sinha, IAS, Secretary to the Govt. of West Bengal, Transport Dept.& Hon 'ble Chairman, SBSTC

2. Sri Krishna Chandra Santra, MLA, Director, SBSTC

3. SK Sufian, Director, SBSTC

4. Sri Kabi Dutta, Director, SBSTC

5. Financial Advisor Transport Department & Director, SBSTC.

6. Sri Kanchan Choudhury, WBCS (Exe.) Joint Secretary, Transport Department & Director, SBSTC

7. The Under Secretary Transport, MoRTH, GOI, Director, SBSTC

8. The I.G.P. (West Zone), Durgapur, Arabinda Avenue, Durgapur-4, & Director, SBSTC.

9. The Addl. District Magistrate, Purva Burdwan & Director, SBSTC

10. The Addl. District Magistrate, Paschim Burdwan & Director, SBSTC

11. The Addl. District Magistrate, Bankura & Director, SBSTC

12. The Addl. District Magistrate, Purulia & Director, SBSTC

 15.  Dr. Godala Kiran Kumar IAS, Managing Director, SBSTC

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3.0 Organizational Set up

3.1 The Corporation follows a 3-tier system of management viz. Depot, Division, and Corporate. The entire operational network of the Corporation is carried out from its three  Divisional headquarters – one at Durgapur and the other two at Belghoria and Jangal Mahal.  At the Corporate level, the Deputy Managing Director, Chief Accounts Officers, and HODs of other discipline assist the Managing Director. At Divisional level, the office is headed by Divisional Managers of the respective Division who is assisted by Works Manager/Works In-charge on the technical side, Traffic Manager for traffic and operation,  Administrative & Personnel Officer, and other officers for general administration, Dy. Chief Accounts Officer for accounts matter. The Divisional Managers are directly reporting to the Managing Director. At the depot level, the Depot Manager /Depot In-charge is assisted by Senior Foremen, Foreman or Assistant Foreman (depending upon the size of the Depot) for repair and maintenance work, A.P.O. & Assistant Manager(A/C), for general administration, accounts and disciplinary matters, Assistant Traffic Manager/Traffic Superintendent in the matter of traffic and operation. The Depot Manager/Depot In-charge directly reports to Divisional Manager.

4.0 Traffic Operational Activities

4.1 Traffic operational activities of the Corporation which were initially confined to Durgapur and its nearby area, has been gradually extended to cover the districts of Purba and Paschim Burdwan, Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Howrah, Hooghly, Jhargram, North and South 24 Parganas. Presently, SBSTC operates road transport services from its three Divisional Offices - one at Durgapur & other at Belghoria & Jangal Mahal.  It’s run throughout the length and breadth of the entire State of West Bengal and covers almost all historical places and tourist points like Digha, Garbeta forest, Bishnupur, Mukutmonipur, Susunia Hill, Kangsabati project, Ajodhya hill, Santiniketan, Mushidabad Hazarduari (Nawab Palace), Tarpit temple, Messenger dam, Farakka barrage, Gour,  Tarakeswar etc. etc. Almost all important tourist centres in South Bengal area are covered with the services of S.B.S.T.C.

4.2 This Corporation has operations in the inter-State routes presently with Jharkhand State also. We have planned to contact some more areas in those States in the near future.

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5. The increase of fleet strength is depicted below:

6.0 Growth of Depots

6.1 Till 1977-78,SBSTC operated its bus services from Durgapur City Depot only. Subsequently, it commissioned as many as 19 depots till date. The following facts are self- explanatory.

Year                      No. of Depots

(April to March) 

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1977-78                       1

1987-88                       4

1988-89                       6

1989-90                     10

1990-91                     11

1995-96                     12

1996-97                     14

2011-12                     15

2014-15                     12

2015-16                     13

2016-17                     14

2017-18                     14

2018-19                     15

2019-20                     15

2020-21                     19