The two bus bays in Ranchi - the Birsa Munda interstate terminus at Khadgarha and the government bus stand near the railway station around 1.5km away - offer a contrasting tale of upkeep: one comparatively well managed, the other stinky and filthy.

The government bus stand, located in the heart of the city and spread in an area of nearly five acres, has been waiting for a facelift for many years now. But red tape has prevented any such move.

"The property, which belonged to the transport department, was transferred to urban development department around 15 months ago to build a swanky terminus similar to the Birsa Munda bay. But as of now, we have no update on the proposed structure," joint transport commissioner Shekhar Jamuar said.

The Birsa Munda terminus is a swanky building with a host of passenger amenities such as a cafeteria, waiting lounges, proper washrooms for both men and women, CCTV cameras, etc.

When asked, state urban development secretary Arun Kumar Singh refused to speak. However, an official of the department, who did not want to be named, said Jharkhand Urban Infrastructure Development Company Limited, an undertaking of the urban development department, has been roped in to develop the bay.

"So far, three presentations have been made and the detailed project report is being prepared. It will be developed on the lines of the Birsa Munda terminus," the official said.

Till a few years ago, around 75 AC and non-AC buses used to ply daily to Hazaribagh, Giri-dih, Jamshedpur, Daltonganj, Garhwa, Dhanbad and Bokaro from this stand. "But the number has come down to 40. Operating buses from here is not at all profitable since basic facilities are not provided despite being charged Rs 150 and Rs 100 for entry of AC and non-AC buses to the terminus, respectively," Pradeep Kumar, an operator, said.

He was not the only one who complained about negligence. "This building resembles a house of ghosts. It can turn into a grave anytime. I don't know who allows buses to operate from this building. I rather stay outside and wait for my bus rather going inside the building," Ranjan Kumar Singh, an employee of Tata Steel whose parents stay in Ranchi, said.

Despite the building lying in a shambles, driver Arun Kumar Singh still occupies one room on the first floor. "I know that the condition of the building is bad. But we need rest after long hours of driving. So, despite all the risks, we come here and sleep for a while," Singh said.

Passenger amenities at the bay are negligible. Although there are four taps, there's no guarantee if water is safe for drinking. Urinals, located in a corner of the stand, stink. Women passengers are worst sufferers because there are no separate washrooms for them.

Although there is a Sulabh toilet on the premises, it remains crowded all the time. "The toilet is used by all. Train passengers, rickshaw-pullers all come here. It remains so crowded that you will have to wait for 30 minutes to get your turn," Manoj Kumar, a driver, said. Civic officials, however, claimed that it conducts cleanliness drive here. But a ground check suggests otherwise.