Corp-owned auto workshops shut for years

KOCHI: Though the Corporation is reeling under acute financial crisis, it is unabashedly letting resources rot away and the best example is its Padiyathukulam Automobile Workshop at Convent junction, which has remained shut for more than 12 years.The workshop, which was closed due to staff shortage, is now being used as a scrap yard for discarding unused Corporation vehicles.“For the workshop to receive funds, the bills need to be signed by a mechanical engineer.Since there was nobody available to fill the post, the workshop was closed,” said a top official with the Corporation.“Currently, the repair works of the Corporation vehicles are done after calling tenders,” he added.He also admitted that operating the workshop would be an economically viable option.“Having our own workshop would definitely be cheaper for us as an outside company takes up the job only if there is a profit,” he explained.However, Corporation engineer-in-charge Jolly Varghese denied that operating the workshop would be cost effective.“In order to conduct repairing and other maintenance works on the vehicles, the workers need to be skilled,” he said.“All the maintenance work on the Corporation vehicles is being done by outside agencies.We are not planning to reopen the workshop in the near future,” Jolly added.Meanwhile, another such Corporation-owned automobile workshop in Mattanchery has also remained closed for over 15 years due to the same reasons, thus, wasting not only tools and old vehicles but also buildings situated in the prime areas of Kochi.