The Ranchi district administration has come up with 12 routes under ‘rural bus service’ scheme on Tuesday. The routes identified by the Panchayat Mukhiyas, block representatives including officer-in-charges (OCs) of the respective police stations have been taken into account.
A composite proposal is likely to be tabled soon after receiving a final route drafts from all the representatives and Mukhiyas. During the meeting with all the village level stakeholders organised at Collectorate on Tuesday, ADM (law and Order), Girija Shankar Prasad asked the representatives to chalk out the plan not merely to fulfill their duties but also considering the overall development of the community especially for the betterment of the most vulnerable part of the society, women and children.
“This is an attempt to create employment, boost community development plan and built strong network that will ensure the participation of people from different strata of the society. Out of 12 identified routes, notification of nine routes has been already sent to the Transport Department,” said, Prasad.
By far, covering 5 blocks of the State Capital, 12 routes have been identified. In Ratu block three routes have been identified while in Silli five routes have been given clearance. Both at Nagri, Burmu, one route has been demarcated whereas at Ormanjhi, two bus routes have been identified. Before finalizing the draft, road length including State Highways (SH) and National Highways (NH) norms must be considered by the representatives.
Sharing the details about the ‘Rural Bus Scheme’, District Transport Officer (DTO), Nagendra Paswan said, “Considering the viable routes, all the panchayat representatives in collaboration with others will have to prepare the route chart plan. Under the aegis of ‘Stand up India’ scheme, interested people will get loan starting from Rs.10 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Women, Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) will get special preference for operating buses in their respective localities.”
The State government has waived off the road tax. Also, permits will be issued only at Re. 1 for five years.
Also, discussing other details about the scheme, Paswan further added, “The scheme will be initiated after the procurement of new buses. As per the guidelines, the new buses will be operational up to 30 years. An individual will have to spend nearly Rs 18-20 lakh for purchasing one bus. Besides easing the process of documentations, in stimulated time, the concerned person will be handed over all the documents.”
Besides the ‘Stand up India’ plan, through other schemes as well, loans will be given to the interested individual. The DTO also said that within a month time, one can apply for purchasing another bus; no objection from any party regarding this will be entertained. 24 seater buses will ferry passengers on the identified routes.