Jamshedpur, July 9: Tata Steel executive P.K. Tiwary enjoyed the jerk-free AC ride from Ranchi to Jamshedpur this evening despite a protest on NH-33 in Bundu that delayed the journey by an hour.
Tiwary (48), who works in the company's automation department, was among the seven passengers who alighted at Chemmury Guest House in Northern Town, Bistupur, from a swanky Volvo bus at 7.40pm today, having availed of Tata Steel's newly introduced daily service between the state capital and the steel city for employees and their families.
"We enjoyed the ride and did not feel any jerk. Though we got late due to some protest in Bundu near the capital, we did not feel any humidity, thanks to the AC," said Tiwary.
Sunil Kumar (39), another executive from Tata Steel automation department who also availed the bus from the Ranchi airport today, said: "The bus has excellent amenities and is much safer."
The service, introduced from Wednesday, offers a three-hour comfortable journey to and from the state capital, especially convenient for those who have to use Ranchi airport for flights to and out of Jharkhand.
According to Tata Steel spokesperson Amresh Sinha, the bus leaves from Chemmury Guest House at 6am. In Ranchi, the bus makes its first stop at Nepal House and then goes to Birsa Munda International Airport.
On its return journey, the bus, which makes brief stopovers at a roadside eatery during both legs of its journey, leaves from Ranchi Airport at 3pm. Passengers are provided complimentary drinking water bottles but snacks will be served on payment.
The 45-seater air-conditioned Volvo bus, operated by a private company, has pushback seats and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for a safe and comfortable journey.
"The objective is to provide a safe, yet affordable, bus service between Jamshedpur and Ranchi. If a company employee is going to Ranchi to board a flight on office work, then the ride will be free. But if he/she is on personal work, then it will be charged a nominal fare," Sinha said.
The service, he added, would be gradually extended to employees and families of Tata Steel subsidiaries. Employees can book their journey a day in advance either by telephone (0657-6645899, 06572756578) or mail ( d.natraju@tatasteel.com).
