North-East India has seen infrastructural growth since last few years in terms of road connectivity. With roads becoming better, bus fleet operator business has seen a new horizon to improve their connectivity and business. Committed towards providing better connectivity in terms of bus services to the people of North-East India, Deep Travels ventured into the fleet operator business in 1997 under its founder and then Managing Director, Mr. Dinesh Kumar Sood. We met Mr. Dinesh Kumar Sood and his son, the present MD of the company, Mr. Tushar Sood, to know more about their journey, and their growth as a sustainable fleet operator in the region.
Mr. Dinesh Kumar Sood said: “We started our journey 20 years back in 1997, in Dimapur, Nagaland. We connected Dimapur with Guwahati as our initial service with 10 buses, in a joint venture with Network Travels. Later on, in an expansion drive, we started new routes connecting Dimapur to Shillong, Tinsukia, Imphal and Itanagar with one schedule on each route. After 5 years of successful business in Dimapur, we shifted to Guwahati in 2001 for business expansion. Guwahati was growing and soon became the commercial capital of North-East India, offering better opportunity of growth in business and connectivity for us as a bus fleet operator”.
Setting its new base in Guwahati, Assam, Deep Travels underwent a paradigm shift from its concentration on its Dimapur base to Guwahati. Soon, Deep connected the gateway of North East, Guwahati with Itanagar, Imphal and ventured into North Bengal, connecting Siliguri.
With growth of Guwahati as a commercial city and hub of North-East India, Deep Travels saw a bright future in terms of passenger and goods flow, which paved its way for a steady growth, coping with the competitive market.
Elaborating the Nagaland perspective of Deep Travels, Mr. Tushar Sood said: “We consider Dimapur as our basic root of business. In the long term and as a future strategy we want to connect Dimapur with every capital city of the eight North-Eastern States. Our priority is to improve the connectivity on the Intra-Nagaland routes. In years to come, we want to develop Dimapur as our stronghold, while controlling our central operations from Guwahati”.
In a brace to its connectivity plans, Deep Travels is introducing its Shillong – Itanagar route shortly by 2×1 sleeper-cum-semi sleeper coach. Recently, Deep also introduced a new untouched route from Guwahati to Borhola via Titabor, covering 330 km one way. Deep Travels own a bus fleet of ARAI approved body builders which are compliant to Bus Body Codes. The fleet compromises of buses from bus body builders like Amar, Sutlej, Janata and Rajendra.
Changing on its strategy adhering to Punjab-based body builders, Deep Travels for the first time has brought buses from Veera Vahana, Bengaluru, recently. Deep has its own maintenance workshop with facilities like body repair shop, paint shop and mechanical repairs in place.
Deep Travels was the first bus fleet operator in North-East to introduce 2×1 seating configuration in long distance buses. Soon the 2×1 configuration became a trend when almost all operators started adhering to the same seating arrangement within a short period of time. Deep also has a sizeable fleet of sleeper-cum-semi sleeper coaches.
Speaking about the fleet of Deep buses, Mr. Tushar observed: “We have introduced four sleeper-cum-semi sleeper coaches on our routes recently. Very soon we are going to introduce two more such coaches. Introduction of sleeper coaches was a turning point in the bus industry in North-East, as it met with the needs of passenger comfort and luxurious travelling experience. We have got good passenger feedback and positive reviews in this regard. We are starting Itanagar – Shillong soon, with our new Veera V6 sleeper-cum-semi sleeper coaches”.
Asked about his views regarding the recent Bus Codes, the MD showed his concern for bus and passenger safety and termed the implementation of Bus Code AIS: 119 as a good and commendable step in regard to bus safety standards.
Deep Travels looks forward to provide helpful and prompt passenger service and hence it trains and instructs its crew and drivers with updated traffic rules and regulations. Mr. Dinesh Sood said: “We always check for proper valid documents while recruiting our drivers. We stress on good crew behaviour on board our buses. Cleanliness in our buses, is our priority. Our buses always stop in clean and hygienic hotels for dinner and tea breaks”. Adding further, Mr. Tushar Sood revealed: “We are the first bus fleet operator from North-East to register on the ‘Red-Bus’ platform in 2015. Our buses are monitored by GPS tracking, which helps to manage our fleet conveniently on route”.
Deep Travels has a special team for addressing passenger queries and complaints. The company has provided emergency contact numbers posted inside its buses. It has spare buses enroute in case of any breakdowns. It has a team constituted to attend emergency situations like accidents. Deep is also registered on “Just-Dial” and on many online platforms.
The queries and complaints are regularly attended to by the MD himself within 24 hours as a part of the company commitment towards prompt customer service. Deep mostly has a dominated fleet of Ashok Leyland and Tata buses. On future expansion, in terms of routes, Deep has plans to introduce the Shillong – Itanagar, Dimapur – Silchar, Guwahati – Mokokchung and Dimapur – Tuensang routes shortly.
The Guwahati – Lakhimpur 2×1 coach is also stated to be replaced soon by a sleeper-cum-semi sleeper coach. As a future strategy, Deep Travels wants to start dedicated 2×1 sleeper coaches in the region.
Asked about factors considered while planning a new route, Mr. Tushar said: “We have a route survey team which I personally head and handle. We check the passenger flow on the route, availability of good hotels for breaks and of course the road condition is thoroughly checked”.
Deep Travels terms its passenger comfort, punctual service and cleanliness of their buses as its prime USPs on the operation front. Its operation of buses from two major hubs – Dimapur in Nagaland and Guwahati in Assam – gives it an unique advantage on route expansion from two ends.
Expressing his concern on the current scenario related to bus fleet operation and Omni Buses in Assam and North-East, Mr. Tushar said: “We operate in some of the challenging conditions in North-East. Considering road conditions, there is a sudden change of terrain from plains to hilly tracks on a single route. We have to compromise with the vehicle body in regard to the same. We favour Tata buses on hilly terrains and Ashok Leyland buses on plain terrains. I feel the introduction of BS-IV emission standards into the market has made the vehicle brand choice better in terms of quality. We do have challenges in place like unavailability of spare parts and capable mechanics on some route which does affect us on the operation front. But still with the teamwork of our dedicated crew and staff we deal with these issues well. Our buses undergo change in ground clearance depending on the terrain they cover. Modifications, both in mechanical and structural parts of the bus is also carried out, accordingly. During natural calamities like landslides in hilly terrains we arrange special connecting vehicles for transportation of passengers”.
The MD added: “There is an increase in the railway network in North-East India, and buses are made to compete with an old fare structure, due to which there is a gradual decrease in passenger density. There is a need of a planned organization amongst private fleet operators so that the pending issues can be addressed and steps can be taken for sustainable growth”.
When asked about the introducing premium make multi-axle coaches, the MD observed that the North East region is not yet ready for such rear engine coaches, as of now. He termed the old fare structure and improper taxation policy as one of the reasons for the same. The lack of AC mechanics and improper road conditions are some other reasons, which he stated in regard to the same.
North-East India has a potential of being a premium tourist destination in India. As a goal to boost tourism in the region, Deep Travels is committed to connect all capital cities of all the North Eastern States. Deep is also promoting its concept of “Web-Route” where in its connecting a host of multiple routes from a strategic city destination, based on its survey.
Concluding on a positive note, Mr. Tushar Sood said: “Deep Travels is one of the largest fleet operator in North-East India. Being very young in age, with years to come, I forecast a sustainable future ahead. My long term goals are to provide better services and improving connectivity in the region, which I believe will fulfil my duties and social responsibilities towards my homeland”, signed off the MD with an optimistic approach towards connecting North-East India.
DEEP TRAVELS STATS
- Founded in 1997
- Number of buses in fleet: 40
- Longest route operated at present: Dimapur to Silapathar (550 km)
- Distance covered everyday: 12,500 km
- Passengers carried daily: 1000
- Schedules per day: 32
- Workforce: 100