Residents of state capital have to wait longer for enjoying a ride in low floor buses as the plan hit its first hurdle. Due frequent administrative reshuffle the Urban Development department that is responsible for arranging the fund regarding purchase of the buses is yet to take its decision over the matter. The proposal is gathering dust in the department as there is no one to look into it.
Incumbent Secretary of the department Ajoy Kumar Singh feigned ignorance about the proposal. “I will look into it,” he said.
In a bid to boost city’s ailing public transport system the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) after a wait of six months finally decided on September 15, to purchase 30 low floor buses both Air Conditioner (AC) and non-Ac from Ashok leyland.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Vinay Kumar Choubey who happens to be the Chairperson of the committee, said, “We have sent the proposal to Urban Department and are waiting for their consent. We planned to launch the busses by the end of November but looking its current status I doubt the project to be accomplished this financial year.”
According to Choubey reshuffle of posts in the department might be the major reason behind its delay. “I think that current revive in the department might have failed to grab the eyeballs of the concerned officer. We are expecting that the department show green signal to it soon,” added Choubey.
The plan is to spend Rs 2 crore on purchasing the new floor buses. The buses will ply on Main Road, Circular Road and Harmu Road.
When Choubey was enquired about the city roads being inconvenient for plying low floor buses, he said, “The matter is in our mind and we have decided to broaden up the roads once the amount gets sanctioned for the purchase of the busses.”
Ranchities are eagerly waiting for low floor buses as it will provide relief to the daily commuters, who are hassled by not so great bus services of the city.
Anita Manseria said, “With the launch of women special bus and plan to launch pink auto have given us a ray of hope that city’s public transport service will get revive soon. low floor buses will prove to be comfortable for all age- group. We are enthusiastically waiting to see the buses on roads soon.”