Many buses run daily on the Chandigarh-Delhi route. Among these buses, there are many buses of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) which people choose for cheap and comfortable travel. Serious allegations have come to light regarding unsafe practices in running these buses. These include illegal stay at a private dhaba. Apart from this, bus employees are accused of carrying parcels without the approval of the department. In this matter, a passenger traveling daily on this route has formally lodged a complaint.
In the complaint given by the person, it has come to light that CTU buses regularly stop at a private dhaba, which has been identified as ‘Mayur Dhaba’. However, a clear order has been given by the administration that the buses will stop only at the designated places run by Haryana Tourism. Despite this, the bus staff take the buses to private dhabas and stop them.
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Violation of CTU orders
The complaint further alleges that the drivers accepted unauthorized parcels. Doing so is a direct violation of the CTU orders issued in 2019 and 2021. In these orders issued by the department, it was clearly warned that there was a risk of carrying illegal or dangerous material through such methods. Therefore, it is prohibited to accept parcels in this manner.
Threat to passengers’ safety
The journey from Chandigarh to Delhi generally takes 6-7 hours. During this journey, the bus is stopped at a dhaba to provide tea, water and rest to the passengers. In this regard, CTU has ordered that buses should be stopped only at designated places, which are being run by Haryana Tourism. However, drivers ignore these orders and stop buses at private dhabas.
These places are considered worrisome from security point of view. Complaints like lack of proper parking arrangement at these places, poor quality of food and selling of goods at expensive rates are common. Apart from this, there is no proper system of traffic control which also poses a threat to the safety of the passengers.
Poor condition of private dhabas
Passengers have reportedly made repeated complaints about the unhygienic and expensive food served at the dhaba. During the journey on this route, the bus stops at only one place in between. Here the passengers have to eat food, drink tea and water. However, the private dhabas where buses stop do not have proper arrangements for food, drinks and seating. Washrooms are also not clean due to which passengers, especially women passengers, face problems. Along with this, there are also complaints of stale food at these dhabas. There are only a few food options, so shop owners charge prices as per their wish.
It has also been mentioned in the complaint that stopping the bus at some selected private dhabas is an agreement between the bus driver and the conductor. It has been pointed out in the complaint that the driver got some benefit in exchange for stopping the bus at the dhaba and carrying the parcel. In the complaint, it has been asked to take appropriate steps regarding this problem soon.
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Allegations of staff shortage and favoritism
Along with this, in another complaint submitted to the Transport Director, it has been said that the drivers have been employed in other work instead of operational work, due to which there is shortage of staff. Operational pressure is also increasing due to shortage of drivers and conductors, putting pressure on existing employees and forcing them to work overtime. Along with this, allegations of favoritism, nepotism and deployment on the basis of recommendation have also been made.
The department kept silence
Despite Khabargaon contacting CTU officials in this matter, the officials were seen avoiding responding. Calls to CTU’s CCBSS Yashjit Gupta remained unanswered and GM Satyendra Dahiya did not respond to queries despite contacting him twice.
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