Ranchi: Monsoon showers have turned the soft earth of the ITI bus stand into a muddy patch, making navigation difficult for thousands of passengers who use the premises to travel to various destinations each day.Recent digging at the rear of the terminal has left mounds of earth exposed to the elements for over 20 days. With every downpour, loose soil is washing across the compound and towards the public toilets, leaving the area slick and filthy. While the purpose behind the digging is unclear, locals said the mud has been lying for days.Passengers, who use the terminal frequently, fear slipping and hurting themselves. “The ground is so slippery that walking has become impossible in several areas due to the fear of falling,” said Ragini Kujur, a commuter boarding a bus to Gumla.Outside the terminal, drivers are parking their buses along the road as passengers cannot wade through the slippery ground. This in turn is leading to traffic congestions. “The dug-up area is a major hazard during rains. We must be exceptionally careful because a slight misjudgement while navigating the stand could cause a bus to slide into the open ditch,” Manoj Kumar, a bus driver, said.Arun Budhia, president of Jharkhand Bus Owners’ Association, said 5,000 passengers use the terminus each day and urged the govt to rectify the situation.Assuring swift action, Ranchi municipal commissioner Sushant Gaurav said, “If the public is facing inconvenience, it is a serious matter. We will investigate the situation immediately and ensure the necessary rectification work is completed at the earliest,” he said.Notably, the bus terminus is slated to undergo an overhaul. The upgraded amenities will have waiting areas, dormitories, modern ticket counters, designated parking zones, and well-marked bus bays. A sum of Rs 24.8 crore will be spent for the project.
