Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 2: Even after spending crores of rupees on Inter State Bus Terminal (ISBT) at Transport Nagar (Narwal) and Bus Stand for Banihal and Katra Vaishno Devi route buses at Khanpur near Nagrota By-Pass, the Administration has failed to shift the existing BC Road Bus Stand to the new identified locations despite the fact that all the desired infrastructure is in place there for the last several years.
While these two bus stands are ready for the last nearly three years, the concerned agencies lacked will to shift the present Bus Stand at the new identified places. They just passed the buck to the other agencies washing their hands off the basic responsibility. General public in the winter capital city is the worst sufferer and continued to face the growing ‘traffic mess’ on the busy BC Road, KC Crossing and Jewel Chowk area. The District Administration claimed that Jammu Development Authority caused delay in construction of Bus Stand at Khanpur and Narwal besides raising required infrastructure there while the top JDA officials claimed that all the required infrastructure has been raised there and it was now the job of State Transport and the Divisional and the District Administration to execute the orders and ensure operation of these two newly raised Bus Stands.
The idle parking of buses and other vehicles at General Bus Stand, B C Road and K C crossing area has become the worst ever traffic problem and it has been further aggravated with the unauthorized operation of Tata Sumos, Taxis, Tempo Travelers and mini-buses from B C Road near Bus Stand. The administration did not bother to shift these ‘self-identified’ stands by operators to some appropriate locations so as to ensure smooth flow of traffic. These agencies apparently have turned a blind eye towards this basic issue, which is needed to be addressed urgently to ensure better flow of traffic.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pardeep Gupta said JDA was busy in raising infrastructure like shops, workshops, night shelter/ hall for drivers and conductors besides toilets at Khanpur. They are now in process of allotment of sites and shops there. Some of them have been allotted and others are in process. As this activity is completed, the process of removing idle parking from B C Road to Khanpur Bus Stand will be started.
Responding to another question, the Divisional Commissioner said the Transport Department has already notified and the process of shifting will be started soon. He said ISBT at Transport Nagar will also be shifted as some additional infrastructure is needed to be raised there. Mr Gupta said Khanpur site will only be used for idle parking. Buses will operate and terminate at General Bus Stand. Moreover, a proposal was also there to raise multi-storey parking facility at existing General Bus Stand. He said the Administration was keen to remove congestion/ unwanted operation of vehicles to different routes on B C Road, K C Crossing and near Jewel Chowk. Now, the Transport and Traffic Police authorities will have to implement the orders to make the Bus Stands functional.
Vice Chairperson of Jammu Development Authority (JDA), Sarita Chouhan when contacted said that Khanpur Bus Stand for idle parking of buses of Banihal, Doda and Katra-Reasi routes was constructed by JDA several years ago. The required facilities including night-shelter for drivers/ conductors, toilet facilities, workshops and other shops were raised and they are ready for the last one year now. Even more than 25 shops have been allotted to the people to run their business there but they too, have not started their activity. They must be waiting and watching for the operation of this Bus Stand.
Replying to a question, the VC JDA said there is capacity of parking more than 300 buses there. Even lights were fixed at the poles and towers besides main hall for operators. Good number of toilets and bathrooms were raised there. Three JDA guards have been deployed to look after the property as some of them were even stolen by the unknown people as this complex is not put to use till today. Many people have paid money for the hired/ allotted shops and many of them are in the process of making payments. The workshops will also become operational only when the stand is shifted there. Now, there is time to implement the orders as Transport Department has also issued notification in this regard.
She further disclosed that ISBT at Transport Nagar has also been created by the JDA and there is huge space for the operation of inter-state buses. All the facilities are in place there but it was also not shifted from B C Road Bus Stand till today. The JDA should not be held responsible for it. In fact, it was collective responsibility of the allied agencies. If these Bus Stands are shifted from B C Road area, the traffic load will certainly be reduced around General Bus Stand area besides other adjoining busy crossings. She said the process of acquiring nearly 200 kanal land near Paloura on Akhnoor Road for Chhamb and Poonch route buses is also in process. “It will again ease the traffic load on B C Road, Canal Road and Maheshpura Chowk,” she added.
Transport Commissioner, M A Kakroo disclosed that much needed notification regarding shifting of Bus Stand to Khanpur near Nagrota Bypass has been issued by his department. He said the JDA has almost completed it task and now this Bus Stand will be made functions shortly. Commissioner said the assistance of Traffic Police authorities is also needed and now the Banihal/ Doda and Katra- Reasi route buses are to be shifted there. He admitted that this step will help in reducing traffic load on BC Road and General Bus Stand area. Kakroo said drivers demanded that workshops and `Dhabas’ be made functional there before shifting. They also pointed out that fuel consumption during up and down journey to Khanpur from B C Road was additional burden on them. This issue is also being examined. He however, assured that this Bus Stand is going to be made functional very soon.
Mr Kakroo also expressed his desire to shift ISBT at Transport Nagar without any much delay now for ensuring better flow of traffic in B C Road area. Commenting on traffic mess on B C Road and K C Chowk, he said it was responsibility of Traffic Police to regulate traffic and remove congestion and idle parking.
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