565 private buses pulled from Kolkata roads, commuters suffer

Kolkata's public transportation system is facing a severe crisis as more than 500 buses were pulled from service following Durga Puja, leaving city commuters stranded. Private bus owners are in turmoil, and frustration is growing against the administration for its inaction. The bus shortage comes as a result of an order from the environmental court, mandating that vehicles older than 15 years be taken off the roads. Despite this looming issue, the government has yet to take any significant action, leaving residents to question why nothing has been done to address the problem.

As per the court's order, private buses older than 15 years have been gradually phased out since August 1, leading to a massive shortfall in the number of vehicles available for public transport. Around 565 private buses have been taken off the roads since Durga Puja, with sources claiming that over 1,000 buses have already been scrapped or put out of service in total. As a result, the city streets are becoming increasingly empty, especially during evening hours, and commuters are finding it difficult to secure a ride.

This bus crisis stems from a 2009 case filed by environmental activist Subhash Dutt, which led the Calcutta High Court to order the removal of all buses older than 15 years from Kolkata and Kolkata Municipal Development Authority (KMDA) areas. The ruling aimed to reduce pollution levels in the city and protect its environment. Although the bus owners' association approached the Supreme Court seeking relief, the case was sent back to the Calcutta High Court.

The West Bengal Department of Transport has been enforcing the court's order since August, triggering a wave of bus retirements. With many buses forced off the road, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reportedly instructed the transport department to take the matter to the Supreme Court. However, sources suggest that the transport department has made little progress in this regard, and Transport Minister Snehashis Chakraborty remains silent on the issue.

Data from the transport department reveals the extent of the crisis. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Kolkata had 4,840 private buses in operation, but this number has dwindled to just 3,615. The number of minibuses has similarly dropped from 2,064 to 1,498, and now with the post-festivity removal of 565 additional buses, the city is struggling to cope with the growing demand.

In an attempt to alleviate the situation, the state transport department has offered private bus owners the opportunity to lease government buses, but the bus owners claim this offers little relief. Titu Saha, General Secretary of City Sub-Urban Bus Service, stated that without proper support from the administration, both commuters and bus owners will continue to suffer. Many bus operators are left uncertain about their next steps, while there are reports of police impounding their buses and abandoning them at various locations.

Transport Minister Snehashis Chakraborty has expressed his concerns about the blanket enforcement of the 15-year rule. He questioned whether buses with well-maintained engines should also be removed, suggesting that vehicles should undergo thorough inspections before being decommissioned. Chakraborty believes a more nuanced approach is needed, where buses are evaluated individually for their fitness to continue operating.