The Uttar Pradesh State Roadways Transport Coportaion has gone hi-tech with Wi-Fi being made available in 75 bus depots across 66 districts as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared that bus travel would be made comfortable and safe with the introduction of technology.
An announcement was made by the CM during a function held at his official 5, Kalidas Marg residence where he inaugurated seven bus stands and laid the foundation for construction of three new bus stands. He also inaugurated Sarathi Bhawan at Ghaziabad, Meerut, Allahabad and Varanasi.
“Uttar Pradesh has 115 Bus depots and 300 bus stands but facilities in a majority of these places were bad. The lavatories used to stink and there were no facility for drinking water. Now, while in open market water is available at Rs 15 per bottle, the UPSRTC is providing water at Rs 1. The facilities have improved but need more improvement,” Yogi said.
The CM said that the government was committed to providing better facilities in bus stands and therefore work has started to improve infrastructure as well as efforts were on provide better commutation facilities. “When passengers arrive at bus stands they should feel that they have arrived at an airport. Make bus stands spick and span,” the CM said.
“This is a fact that many of our buses are in very bad shape which is a matter of concern. A private transporter starts his business with one bus and by the second year, he purchases a second one and in a few years, owns a fleet of buses. But the state-run Transport department is bleeding. Why is it so,” he asked.
“The situation is so bad that we do not have permanent drivers. Majority of them are appointed on ad hoc basis. Over 50 crore passengers travel in these buses and one can realize how we are risking the lives of these passengers. Accidents take place because these drivers are not trained. The state needs over 1 lakh trained drivers and Transport officers should take note of this and start a recruitment drive at the earliest,” the Chief Minister said.
Yogi inaugurated bus stands at seven places - Bijnore, Bewar, Mahoba, Shahajahanpur, Karhal, Bhogaon and Mehmudabad. All these have waiting rooms, clean toilets, announcement room and canteens. Besides, Wi Fi facility has been provided to 75 bus stands spread over 66 districts.