The State capital’s biggest bus terminus in Khadgarha known as Birsa Munda Bus Terminus and officially, inaugurated by CM Raghubar Das in November, 2015 with much fanfare is yet to come out of its filthy, ugly past. None of its state of the art facility promised at the time of the inauguration for the passengers could become functional yet.
Spread in over 72,415 sq ft and refurbished at a cost of Rs 15.18 crore, the newly operational Khadgarha bus terminus is still far from catering the commuters with basic amenities. In spite of being lashed with all facilities and operational since November, the passengers, drivers and other shopkeepers has been forced to encroach the entire platforms, bus bays and other areas, as the authorities concern have not yet opened the booking counters, food plazas, waiting rooms, inquiry counters, administration rooms and control rooms developed as part of the ambitious project and is conceived by Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) for the maintenance.
Notably, as many as 200 inter-state buses operate from intersection every day, making the Birsa Munda Bus terminus the busiest bus stand in the state after the ITI bus terminus. Delay in construction of the approaching road and parking area too has rendered Birsa Munda Bus Terminus in the mess.
Not just the passengers traveling across curse the authorities for the mess but the tickets sellers are force to sell tickets in open and they too blame the authorities for the chaos. “It’s been three months now and we are still waiting eagerly to get the booking counters but unfortunately it will take more time as they are saying tenders will be out in March,” said, a ticket vendor, Kumar Shailendra.
The double storey terminus building have 18 shops, two food courts, 36 ticket and two inquiry counters, seven AC and six non-AC rest rooms, two separate dormitories for men and women. But none of these are functional except the toilets which are being maintained by Sulabh International.
On the other the RMC has its own set of excuses for the dysfunctional bus terminus which is also akin to wastage of public money and an act performed in a hurry or under pressure. “With the inauguration of bus terminus, we had planned to depute facility manager for the maintenance of bus stand but no body turned out. Now city managers will look into the matter and under their supervision everything will be carried out. Moreover, all the sections will be made serviceable in the days to come,” stated RMC PRO Naresh Kumar Sinha.
Stating about the work progress and tenders, Sinha further added, “There are several work yet to be sorted out. We have been asked to open account and charge Rs 2 per sq. ft from every vendor on a monthly basis,” but not before again presenting a rosy picture for the travelers. “Eight labourers will be appointed soon for maintaining hygiene. Apart this, CCTV cameras and public address system (lED) are yet to be installed at the bus terminus but the entire procedure will take two months as tenders are yet to be out,” said Sinha pointing about the plans on paper.
Birsa Munda bus stand is the main inter-state bus terminus in the entire State from where the buses ply to various districts and other adjoining states. Thousands of passengers’ daily board bus from this junction.