In a startling revelation the State Government is unlawfully operating 62 city buses, originally intended for public transport, exclusively for government employees commuting to offices in Nava Raipur. The misuse of these buses has left the general public in Raipur city grappling with a severely compromised transportation system. Currently, 62 city buses are being utilised to transport government employees from various locations in Raipur to the new capital city of Nava Raipur. These buses, procured to enhance public transport in Raipur city, are running exclusively for government employees, while only 30 buses out of the total fleet are allocated for public use. Speaking to ‘The Hitavada’, an official from the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) in Chhattisgarh revealed that this diversion of public transport for government employees is entirely illegal. Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), a total of 381 city buses were procured to improve public transport in different towns of Chhattisgarh. Currently, 160 city buses operate in Raipur, with 92 designated for public use, 30 operational for public transport, and the remaining 62 exclusively for government employees.

 

The officer claimed that a committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, sanctioned the use of these city buses for government employees. However, objections were raised by SUDA officials before the committee, asserting that the buses were not being used as intended. The dire consequence of this mismanagement is the collapse of the public transport system in Raipur city, with the 62 buses only transporting government employees and subsequently being parked outside Mantralaya and Indravati Bhawan. Another government official highlighted the financial burden on the State, with over Rs 2,500 per month being spent on each government employee for transportation. Despite thousands of government employees being relocated to government quarters in Nava Raipur, the mismanagement persists.

 

Residents, such as Tulsiram Pradhan from Sector-29, Nava Raipur, voiced their frustration, pointing out that the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses, intended for public transport, are being hindered. S K Sthapak, another resident, criticised the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran (NRANVP) for allowing only BRTS buses for public use while government employees utilise city and private buses. S K Sthapak called on the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to permit the operation of city buses for public use and allow private bus operators to run services from Nava Raipur to Raipur. Anjali Mishra, a postgraduate student, expressed dismay over the crippled public transport system in Raipur, leading to increased auto-rickshaw fares and a lack of transparency in city bus fare structures. An official from SUDA, acknowledging the concerns, pledged to bring the issue before the cabinet minister designated with the portfolio, emphasising the need to ensure that city buses are allocated for public use as originally intended. Presently, no city buses are operating from Bhilai to Raipur Airport, Nava Raipur, and Raipur Railway Station, causing significant problems for daily commuters. The operation of these buses were stopped after the pandemic and was never started again presumably to benefit some private operators. The lack of a proper transport system is also affecting visitors’ access to Jungle Safari Nava Raipur