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Jamshedpur, Feb. 16: In an effort to streamline city bus services in Jamshedpur, the district administration is working on a plan to ensure the JNNURM initiative runs in tandem with private bus operators in manner to make both economically viable.
East Singhbhum district administration held a meeting with private operators today as a first step to streamline transport services in the city, especially the city bus service which was mandated by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) to ensure adequate public transport in urban areas.
If the district administration succeeds in implementing its plans, city buses would run alongside on private buses on different routes spanning the length and breadth of the steel city and its outskirts. They would also share space at the terminus.
“We have asked private bus operators to furnish details about number of buses, routes and schedules within 24 hours. After getting their details, we would be holding a joint meeting with city bus operators (JTDC) and private bus operators and finalise routes and timings of buses to prevent clash of interest,” said additional district magistrate (law and order) Ajit Shanker.
All the buses would run from Sakchi stand after finalisation of the new timings and routes.
Deputy superintendent of police (traffic) Rakesh Mohan Sinha, who was also present at the meeting, has been asked to earmark stoppages of buses on different routes.
“Any bus stopping at locations other than that specified would be fined Rs 500. This would be done to prevent traffic chaos. At present, buses stop to pick up passengers on their whim,” the traffic DSP said.
The fares per stoppage would be decided by the state Road Transport Authority.
Today’s meeting followed complaints from Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC), which runs the city bus service in Jamshedpur, about harassment from private bus operators.
The meeting was also attended by sub-divisional officer (Dhalbhum) Subodh Kumar, executive magistrate (law and order) Sunil Kumar, district transport officer George Kumar and a delegation of Sikshik Berojgar Mini Bus Association, an outfit representing private operators.
Jamshedpur was allotted a fleet of 50-odd city buses when the service was launched in August 2010. However, the bus service has had to face pressure from private operators on the routes and harassment from police.
Out of the 50 city buses, only 13 are running on three-four routes at present, while the remaining are stranded at Baridih depot due to lack of maintenance.
There are 120 private buses plying on 14 routes.
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