Surat Takes Drastic Transport Measures for Makar Sankranti Kite Festival
The Surat Municipal Corporation has implemented significant changes to public transport services. This move aims to enhance safety during the popular Makar Sankranti kite-flying celebrations.
Complete BRTS Suspension and Major Bus Cuts
Authorities suspended all Bus Rapid Transit System operations on Wednesday. They also reduced city bus services by a substantial seventy percent on the same day.
Officials explained these decisions stem from concerns about potential accidents. People often fly kites on roads during the Uttarayan festival, creating hazards for buses.
Gradual Service Restoration Planned
Transport services will resume gradually over the coming days. On Thursday, only thirty percent of BRTS buses will operate. City bus services will increase to fifty percent capacity.
Full normal operations for both BRTS and city buses will return on Friday. All routes should function according to their regular schedules by then.
Impact on Daily Commuters
These changes affect a large number of Surat residents. Over two hundred thousand people use SMC bus services every day. This group includes many college students and daily commuters.
The transport network typically includes three hundred sixty-seven BRTS buses across thirteen routes. These cover one hundred three kilometers. Additionally, three hundred eighty-seven city buses serve forty-five routes spanning four hundred fifty-two kilometers.
Citizens may experience considerable inconvenience during this period. Auto rickshaw and taxi services might see increased demand and higher fares.
Hospital Prepares for Festival Injuries
Surat New Civil Hospital has established a special ward for treating festival-related injuries. Medical staff will handle cases resulting from kite-flying accidents.
A charitable trust has collaborated with nursing associations to set up a bird treatment camp. Volunteers with veterinary doctors will rescue injured birds from trees and power lines.
The hospital campus now operates a toll-free helpline for reporting injured birds. Severely hurt birds will receive treatment at the dedicated camp facility.
Crackdown on Dangerous Kite Threads
In a related development, police have seized banned synthetic kite threads worth over 1.5 crore rupees. Authorities raided a factory in Dadra and Nagar Haveli following investigations.
Police arrested factory owner Virenkumar Patel from Ahmedabad. The synthetic threads, manufactured from plastic waste bottles, were being sold across Gujarat districts.
This enforcement action comes after retailers in Ahmedabad were caught selling the prohibited threads. Five individuals already face charges for violating government notifications.
