Several steps taken to promote better public transport have proved futile as, even after so many years, there is no trace of proper bus bays, auto stands even at the busiest routes in Ranchi.
Unavailability of proper bus, auto stands is one prime cause of traffic snarl during the peak hours as most of the public transport modes have no designated points of operation or even halts as present in other planned cities.
Most commuters often grumble about the lack of these facilities while the drivers enjoy the liberty of plying fearlessly giving a tough time to district administration officials. Even the traffic constables deployed at different locations said that they have no option other than to be a mute spectator as there is no clear specification about bus and auto-rickshaw stoppages.
In spite of making several claims of renovating the bus stands while adding on a few more number of bus stoppages with basic facilities like display boards, proper seats for commuters’ convenience, the project is lying in a shambles. Ironically, there is no official record of existing bus bays constructed way back including the auto-rickshaw stands.
Forget about constructing the new bus stands at a specific distance, most of the existing bus stoppages maintained by Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) are lying defunct. Recently, after re-launching the city bus service, the officials had assured that soon after the survey, all the bus stoppages will be renovated but when enquired about the status of the project, the officials appeared clueless. None of the officials at the Municipal Corporation were able to clarify their stand on this matter.
Making several excuses, the officers cited different reasons for delay in taking up the project. “The project has been shelved as recently in the board meeting it was decided that all expenses incurred in the project must be given by the State Government only,” said RMC Officer (PR), Naresh Kumar Sinha.