Jaipur Bus Depot Shift to Sanganer Fails to Launch as Planned
In a significant development for Jaipur's public transport system, the scheduled shift of bus operations to the Sanganer depot did not commence on Thursday as intended. Jaipur City Transport Services Limited (JCTSL) had announced the relocation of buses operated by M/s Paras Travel Lines from the Bagrana depot to Sanganer, a move partly driven by plans to introduce e-bus operations at Bagrana.
Depot Remains Unused Despite High Rental Costs
Notably, the Sanganer depot has been lying idle for the past three years, with no buses operating from the facility. This inactivity persists even as JCTSL continues to pay nearly Rs 20 lakh per month in rent, raising questions about resource utilization and financial management within the transport authority.
Drivers' Association Voices Strong Opposition
The delay in the depot shift has sparked vocal opposition from the drivers' association. They allege that the new schedule incorporates "dead kilometres"—the distance from the depot to the starting point of bus routes—into drivers' duty hours. This change, they claim, is designed to benefit the private operator by extending duty hours beyond the standard eight hours, potentially leading to overtime payments without generating additional revenue for JCTSL.
Ramkawar Bishnoi, president of the drivers' association, expressed skepticism about the timeline, stating that operations are unlikely to begin even within the next three months, contradicting official assurances.
Conflicting Timelines from Officials
Anil Kumar Pareek, the Sanganer depot manager, provided a more optimistic outlook, indicating that the depot will commence operations within three to four days. However, this statement stands in stark contrast to the drivers' concerns and the current operational standstill, highlighting a disconnect between management plans and ground realities.
The situation underscores ongoing challenges in Jaipur's transport infrastructure, including issues of depot utilization, contractual agreements with private operators, and labor relations. As stakeholders await further developments, the focus remains on resolving these disputes to ensure efficient and fair public transport services for the city's residents.
