The picture of transport services is going to change in Madhya Pradesh.
Highlights
Like the metro, responsibility of public transport service will be given. Public transport facility will be expanded in a phased manner. Now contracts will not be made with private operators in the state.
State Bureau, Naiduniya, Bhopal. Preparations are underway to start public transport service in a new form in the state. By forming a company like Metro Rail Corporation, the public transport system will be expanded like the earlier Road Transport Corporation. The company can also be given a grant by the state government.
At present, there is a consideration to give control of public transport services operated by different government agencies to this company. The Transport Department is examining which model of public transport may be appropriate for smooth traffic of the people.
However, department officials clearly say that private bus operators will not be included in public transport by signing contracts with them. Secondly, public transport facility will not be started all at once but in a phased manner.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed his desire to start public transport service to strengthen public transport. Since the Road Transport Corporation was closed in 2005, there is no state level public transport service. At the local level, some buses are operated by urban bodies by forming companies.
Naiduniya had run a campaign
In view of the transportation problem of the people, in the year 2021, Naiduniya also ran an editorial campaign to restart public transport. In conversation with Naiduniya, MPs, MLAs and public representatives also described public transport as a great need. A PIL has also been filed in the High Court to restart the corporation.
This could be the model of public transport
The company operating buses in the local body, Rural Transport Service, MP Tourism Development Corporation and other government controlled companies should be brought under the ambit of one company. Public transport facility should be started first on those routes where there are less private buses. For this, routes connecting tribal dominated or backward districts can be taken up initially. Bus operations can be started to connect religious and tourist places of the state. After operating buses on some routes, service can be started on other routes as per the success. Provision of concession in fares can be made for people of some special category. The corporation still has immovable assets which will be used.
SAPNI was closed in 2005, Naiduniya had run a campaign to restart it
Due to losses, the decision to shut down MP Road Transport Corporation (SAPNI) was taken in 2005 during the then Babulal government of BJP. However, preparations for the shutdown had begun in 2003 during the Congress government itself. The liabilities of the corporation had reached Rs 1033 crore, out of which Rs 183 crore had to be paid to the employees. As per the order, bus operations were completely shut down in 2010. After this, the arbitrariness of private bus operators increased.