Absence of low floor bus on certain routes turning into an election issue

By Ankita Garg

Several residential colonies situated on Kolar Road and Neelbad Road are waiting for the re-start of low floor bus service for past six months. Difficulty in public transportation system has given an issue to the local residents to boycott the election. As the residential colonies in these areas have single public transportation system which is closed for months, people aggrieved and said to avoid casting their vote. Residents of these areas said that they do not want to vote for any candidate as their local issues are not being addressed. A large population residing in this half part of State capital Bhopal are worried for the transportation. Taking advantage of the situation, auto, electric rickshaw and other private vehicle owners have increased their fare charges without concern of authorities. People said that they are spending Rs 100 to 150 per person for travelling the same distance that was earlier being travelled in Rs 10 or Rs 20. According to reports, earlier Low Floor Red buses were started for public commutation till Bairagarh Chichali and Ratibad area on Neelabad Road. There are many rural areas joining the Bairagarh and Ratibad Road. All these people were travelling to city for their routine task at convenient charges.

Low Floor buses are run by the Bhopal City Linked Limited under Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC). Buses plying on the route were closed in October 2023 due to inter departmental issues. People said that they are becoming victim of the inter departmental dispute and there is no temporarily arrangement done by the BMC or any other Government authority. Snigdha Chaure, resident of Patrakar Colony said, “This is inter-departmental dispute of BCLL, BMC and transport but we are paying for this dispute. We all have decided to boycott the election as our problems are not being addressed. We choose leader to address the problems not to keep us in dark mode.” There are many colleges and universities in the areas. Students moved from other cities or state are residing around the colonies to pursue their education. After closure of buses on this route, students are baffled up by paying extra bucks to the private autos and taxis. Sources said that there was some dispute between transporter and BCLL due to which bus operating company withdrew the operation of buses on certain routes.

At the time of Covid outbreak, all low floor buses run by BCLL were off to road. After lock down phase got over, buses were resumed in various steps but few buses could not be started. Buses on Bairagar Chichali to Vallabh Bhawan (SR A 1), Bairagarh Chichali to Chirayu Hospital via Mata Mandir (SR 1) could not be started. On recommendation of officials, transporters earlier resumed the bus service on this route for two months. From January 2022, these buses were again off to road. People travelling to several destinations on these routes are facing inconvenience. Many of them are left with no other option expect booking private autos at higher price. Concerned over the inconvenience of people, BCLL officials issued notice to the Capital Roadways but no action could be taken by the company yet.

Absence of buses on certain routes are affecting people residing in VIP guest house, Lalghati, Halalpura, Patrakar Colony, Kolar Tiraha, Buddha Mandir, Chinar Woodland, Suyash Hospital, Deepak Society, Sarvdharm Colony, Mahabali Nagar, Bima Kunj, Nayapura, Lalitnagar, Gehu Kheda and Chichali Bairagarh. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, BCLL Public Relations Officer Sanjay Soni said that dispute began in the year 2018 when BCLL was penalised for providing service out of BMC periphery. On May 31, 2022, transportation released notification to allow commutation of low floor buses in 25 km of radius of BMC periphery. Later, private transporters alleged that the notification released by transportation department was not gazette. He said that mater was also presented before the court and an order was released to provide gazzette notification for bus commutation. “We cannot go against the court’s order. I understand the problem of locals as they are facing many issues to travel the short distances. After Model Code of Conduct removes, we will discuss the issue,” added Sanjay Soni.