The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) is set to deploy 320 buses to ferry Kanwariyas to Haridwar, impacting daily commuters in the Ghaziabad region. This measure aims to facilitate the annual Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage but is expected to cause significant disruptions in regular bus services.
Deployment of Buses
- Total Buses Deployed: 320
- Ghaziabad: 200 buses
- Hapur, Bulandshahr, Khurja: 120 buses
- Total Fleet in Ghaziabad Region: 768 buses
- Estimated Daily Ridership in Ghaziabad: 125,000 passengers
Impact on Commuters
- Bus Availability Issues: With 320 buses redirected, daily commuters may face a shortage of available buses.
- Traffic Diversions: Large-scale traffic diversions for the Kanwar Yatra from July 22 are likely to exacerbate commuting difficulties.
UPSRTC’s Perspective
Kesri Nandan Chaudhary, Regional Manager of UPSRTC Ghaziabad, stated:
- Expectation: Regular commuters should not face major issues due to traffic diversions discouraging commuting.
- Historical Impact: However, commuters typically experience significant challenges during the Kanwar Yatra.
Commuter Experiences
- Challenges Faced:
- Curtailment of Buses: Reduced bus services make daily travel difficult.
- Increased Reliance on Trains: Commuters often switch to local trains to reach destinations like Meerut and Bulandshahr.
- Longer Travel Times: Diversions lead to longer journeys for those who manage to board UPSRTC buses.
Sumit Kumar, a commuter at Old Bus Stand in Ghaziabad, shared:
- Increased Reliance on Private Vehicles: Many commuters turn to private transport due to reduced bus availability.
Revenue Impact
- Decline in Revenue: UPSRTC officials noted a 30-40% drop in daily revenue during the Kanwar season.
Traffic Diversion Plan
- Routes Affected:
- Delhi Meerut Road
- Kanwar Marg to Tila Morh
- Delhi Meerut Expressway
- NH-9
- Heavy Vehicle Regulations: Heavy vehicles are directed to use NH-9 and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway for onward movement towards Meerut, Haridwar, Bulandshahr, and Aligarh.
Conclusion
As UPSRTC allocates significant resources to support the Kanwar Yatra, commuters in Ghaziabad are preparing for a challenging travel period. The combined impact of bus reallocation and traffic diversions will likely test the resilience of daily travelers during this pilgrimage season. For more information and updates, commuters are advised to check the official UPSRTC website.
Source : hindustantimes
