Sambalpur: Passengers’ Lives at Risk in City Bus; Carrying Excess Passengers in Violation of Rules

Overcrowded Buses in Sambalpur

Sambalpur: City buses in Sambalpur are becoming extremely overcrowded. Passengers are being crammed inside the buses beyond capacity, making the situation uncomfortable and risky. Despite the overcrowding, conductors continue to allow more passengers onboard. This dangerous situation has been frequently observed on buses traveling between Sambalpur and Bargarh.

Passenger’s Experience

Harishankar Bhoi, a passenger, shared his experience from two days ago. He boarded a city bus from Ainthapali to Bargarh after waiting for a seat. Though he secured a seat, the number of passengers kept increasing. By the time the bus crossed Goshala, it had become overcrowded to the point where there was no space to move. Many passengers felt breathless but were forced to continue the journey due to work commitments.

Conductor’s Response

When questioned, the bus conductor stated they often advise people not to board, but passengers still force their way in as there are not enough buses available. As a result, they are compelled to allow overcrowding.

Current Road Safety Campaign

Interestingly, a road safety awareness campaign is currently ongoing in Sambalpur. The regional transport department is educating people about road safety. However, the situation inside the city buses contradicts these efforts. If government buses are so overcrowded, private buses might be even worse.

Violation of Passenger Safety Norms

According to transportation rules, buses should only carry passengers according to the available seats. However, many bus operators, including government buses, allow standing passengers to collect more fare. This practice raises serious concerns about passenger safety.

Authority’s Response

The City Bus Management and Sambalpur Municipal Commissioner have not yet responded to the complaints. However, the regional transport department claims to be conducting regular inspections and imposing heavy fines on both private and government buses found violating safety norms.

Overcrowding in city buses not only compromises passenger comfort but also puts lives at risk. Stricter enforcement of safety norms and increased availability of buses are essential to ensure safer travel for all.