Sindhi Camp Bus Stand witnesses the daily operation of a large number of buses, carrying thousands of passengers. However, the officials responsible for inspecting the conditions of the buses and stations don’t visit the site. The Central Bus Stand Sindhi Camp is located about a kilometre away from the headquarters of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC). However, even the officials based at the headquarters are not addressing this issue. As a result, passengers travelling with RSRTC buses face difficulties. What’s concerning is that these officials are avoiding accountability for the deteriorating condition of these buses.
It’s worth mentioning that among the thousands of buses operated by the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation, many have already completed their eight-year lifespan and are showing signs of wear and tear. Seats are torn and broken, and the engines are struggling. At times, these buses even break down on the road. Travellers constantly face the spectre of accidents despite RSRTC officials claiming to be dedicated to public service. Despite the various schemes introduced by the government, passengers are reluctantly avoiding government buses. This has resulted in a consistent decline in the number of passengers using government buses for travelling.
Approximately half of the 2800 buses in possession of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation have completed their 8 lakh-kilometre journey, according to Prakash Sharma, the media spokesperson for the Rajasthan Transport Corporation Employees Federation. Despite this, no new buses have been procured. The government had previously mentioned plans to introduce a thousand new buses in the 2023-24 budget, but no action has been taken on this front. Complaints have been made about the condition of these buses, but officials often delay action, citing a lack of funds. Sharma also mentioned that the government aims to privatize RSRTC.
Regarding the condition of RSRTC buses, when inquired, Ravi Soni, the responsible Executive Director of Engineering, avoided commenting on the bus breakdowns. He mentioned that information would be obtained from the depot where the particular bus is stationed. However, the conditions of the numerous buses departing from Sindhi Camp Bus Stand are deteriorating, and it appears they are not visible to the Executive Director.