OSRTC blind to bus-stand woes

CUTTACK: Irked over the persistent neglect of the Orissa State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) in developing the bus-stands in Cuttack, including the main terminus of Badambadi, bus operators have decided not to pay parking and other fees to the Corporation from Monday. The Angul-Paradip bus-stand is a case in point. Here conditions have deteriorated to such an extent that it has become almost impossible for the passengers to board and de-board the vehicles.   The bus-stand caters to the routes of Angul, Dhenkanal, Paradip, Kendrapara, Chandikhol and Banki with over 350 buses touching it everyday. But the parking space inside the bus-stand has been virtually converted into a slush pool. Owing to the rainy season and disinclination of the OSRTC authorities in initiating remedial measures, mud and filth have covered the bus-stand. There is no place to stand let alone amenities like drinking water and toilets, the bus operators alleged. The Cuttack Private Bus Owners’ Association said the OSRTC is collecting ` 15 per bus per day as parking and development fees. Of the amount ` 5 is specifically earmarked for development of the bus-stand. But no effort has been made to maintain the bus-stands, including the main terminus - Badambadi. “The Corporation has over ` 50 lakh in its development fund kitty. But the bus-stands are crying for basic amenities and sanitation. Even the Badambadi bus terminus has no lavatory and toilet facilities even though more than a lakh people use it everyday,” alleged Bibhu Prasad Jethi, secretary of the Association. Meanwhile, the joint committee of Commissionerate Police, High Court appointed advocates and representatives of the bus owners’ association on Saturday made an on-the-spot assessment of the situation prevailing at the bus-stands. While the issue would be raised in the HC, the committee also took note of the unregulated parking on the Badambadi-Madhupatna stretch by the buses. The committee has fixed three stoppages between Badambadi and Madhupatna at Jayshree Cinema, Grand Residency and BSNL office. On the Madupatna-Badambadi stretch, the stoppages would be at Nishamani Cinema, Arunodaya Market and Vishal Hotel. Bus bays would be established demarcating the lanes and violations strictly dealt with, Commissionerate Police sources said.