Some of the bus operators of the city capital have been operating interstate bus service under the nose of Ranchi district administration as well as state transport department despite the state government banning interstate bus service in the wake of the outbreak of Covid-19.
Even some of the bus operators confided that interstate buses for Bihar, Bengal and other states have been plying.
“Not all but a good number of bus operators are running interstate bus service. The transport department must be aware of violation of lockdown order. Operating long distance buses against government order and that remain undetected is not possible without wheeling and dealing,” said a bus operator.
Another bus operator said that Jharkhand Bus Owners’ Association has asked its members not to resume interstate bus service without the government order.
“There was a complete lockdown on public transport as part of the lockdown. The government later on gave partial relief when from September 1 the government allowed intrastate movement of buses meaning buses will operate within the state. But some of the operators are saying that they have been facing a financial crisis, they have to pay taxes, insurance, they have to pay their staff,” said another bus operator.
Interestingly, tickets are available both online and offline and even tickets are provided by touts.
Between Ranchi and Patna there are 45 buses operating on a day basis.
Passengers are given specific locations on the way to catch the buses.
On an average passage is charged Rs 1200 against each sleeper seat. Additionally, they have to pay Rs 25 for sanitization of seats.
Shripa Chaudhary, a resident of Kishoreganj of the city capital said that one of her cousins went missing from Ranchi.
“About four days back we discovered that he has reached Patna by a bus and he is staying with one of our relatives. We were surprised that he could visit Patna by bus when the interstate bus service was suspended,” she said.
In Jharkhand there are around 7500 buses registered out of which 3500 buses operate within the state whereas 1500 buses have interstate road permit and remaining are school buses.