Thousands of passengers pass through Bharatpur's roadways bus stand every day, but the terminal's main building has become so dilapidated that it has been shut down temporarily, and the entire operation is now being run out of a makeshift tin shed. There is no proper seating, no drinking water and no real shelter from the sun or rain, forcing travellers to battle these problems just to catch their bus.
How the building fell into such disrepair
Plaster keeps peeling off the walls of the main terminal building, and its roof has reached a point where it could collapse at any time. Worried about the safety of passengers, the administration got the entire building vacated and its use has been suspended for now. The structure's condition keeps worsening by the day, raising fears that things could get even more serious in the coming days.
The tin shed has become a fresh headache
The tin shed put up as a stopgap after the building's closure has turned into a new source of trouble rather than relief. During summer, the sheet roofing heats up like a furnace under the harsh sun, leaving passengers standing or sitting underneath to endure unbearable heat. During the monsoon, the shed fails to keep passengers fully dry either, which is why many end up standing out in the open for hours while they wait for their bus.
What passengers are saying
Passengers at the bus stand said there is neither adequate seating nor any drinking water facility available. They are forced to wait for hours, either out in the open or under the tin shed, just to board their bus. On top of that, cleanliness at the site is extremely poor, adding to their troubles. Passengers also pointed out that plaster keeps falling from the crumbling building, which keeps the fear of an accident alive at all times, and warned that a major accident could occur if the issue is not addressed in time.
Calls for a new terminal building
What worries passengers most is that the bus stand of a major city like Bharatpur has been allowed to fall into this state. They say the administration must treat the issue seriously and get a new terminal building constructed at the earliest, while also ensuring basic facilities such as seating, drinking water and proper cleanliness for travellers. Local residents and daily commuters are demanding swift action from the administration so that people can finally travel safely and conveniently.
