Post News Network
Joda, August 16: The government is yet to set up a permanent bus terminal in this important town of mineral-rich Keonjhar district though mining activities in and around the town have helped scores of people getting livelihood.
Worse, even the existing bus stand has been lying neglected in the absence of proper infrastructure for the last 35 years. As the bus terminal lies between two main roads, the place is crammed with buses, mineral transporting vehicles and taxis. Commuters face a lot of problems in the absence of basic facilities in the bus stand.
“Commuters have to stand for hours awaiting buses. The bus stand has no waiting room or ticket counter,” said Indrajit Satpathy, a local trader.
Locals said miscreants often target passengers waiting for long route buses. In a recent incident, two miscreants looted two cells phones, ATM card and `1,500 from Rakesh Kumar Rana, a bank official. Locals observed that in the absence of police patrolling and lighting facility in the terminal, miscreants carry out their criminal activities.
Several commuters like Akhila Das, Rajkishore Champia and Rajesh Munda felt the need for drinking water facility. The bus terminal lies in a filthy and unhygienic condition as the civic body authorities do not clean the drains.
The terminal lacks toilets for which passengers have to face a lot of inconvenience, said Hemant Kumar Mishra, secretary of Utkalmani Private Drivers’ Association. The area adjacent to the terminal witnesses traffic snarl-ups on a daily basis, he added.
Ranjit Bhanjdeo, a local bus owner, alleged small vehicles and push-cart vending shops remain parked for hours, creating problems in movement of buses. Niranjan Bohidar, president of Joda Bikash Parishad, said foundation stone for a new bus stand at Kamarajoda had been laid January 29, 2009, but the terminal has not been developed.