State Transport Department is planning to launch ‘Rajdhani Bus Seva’ of hi-tech air-conditioned volvo buses for all important districts in Jharkhand. As the scheme is to be launched on this ‘State Foundation Day’ on November 15, process of inviting applications have already been initiated, following which the operator for each of the routes will be finalised after scrutinising all applications received in this regard.
“This scheme is being fabricated by Transport Commissioner Ratan Kumar. In this, the department intends to run super-luxury AC buses from Ranchi to all district headquarters. Gradually, the service will be extended further between some other important districts inside the State,’ said general secretary of Ranchi Bus Owners’ Association Kishore Mantri.
Transport department, in order to provide better and comfortable connectivity from the State capital to other districts located far from it, will only facilitate the plying of super luxury buses making the required permit available for interested operators making no investment in the venture.
“Though the fare for different routes will be decided by the operators, the transport department will only keep a close eye on the facilities being provided to the passengers on the condition of which the permits will be given to them,” said an official of Transport department requesting anonymity.
After two rounds of meeting with the transport department, the bus operators are said to be stressing on running those buses on some of the primary routes like Ranchi-Jamshedpur, Ranchi-Daltonganj and Ranchi-Dhanbad as pilot projects and then, expanding it gradually to other routes.
They, however, also have some apprehensions regarding the scheme, which must be looked into before initiating any such project in the State.
“In the given circumstances, it looks difficult to run such expensive buses in the State as the bus operators themselves have to purchase those buses. We are all quite aware of the shabby condition of bus stands across the State. Moreover, the operators themselves have to look after the security related issues,” said Mantri.
“Before initiating any such move, the State Government should first focus on improving the infrastructure in the State,” he added.