Jaipur's Heerapura Bus Terminal Launches Amid Controversy
Jaipur's newly built Heerapura Bus Terminal has officially started functioning. This development marks the city's third major bus terminal, joining the existing Sindhi Camp and Transport Nagar facilities.
New Operational Arrangements Cause Friction
From its opening, all private buses heading towards Ajmer Highway now operate exclusively from the Heerapura terminal. In contrast, Rajasthan State Roadways Transport Corporation (RSRTC) buses continue to depart from Sindhi Camp. These roadways buses make a scheduled stop at the new Heerapura terminal during their journeys.
This arrangement has sparked significant anger among private bus owners. They accuse officials of showing clear bias towards the state-run RSRTC. The owners argue that allowing roadways buses to both start and end their routes at Sindhi Camp gives them an unfair advantage.
Private Owners Report Empty Buses, Broken Promises
Kailash Chandra Sharma, president of the private bus owners' association, voiced strong complaints. "On Friday and Saturday, all our buses left the Heerapura terminal with empty seats," he stated. "Roadways buses coming from Sindhi Camp picked up all waiting passengers at the 200-Feet Bypass crossing, which served as the designated bus stand until Thursday."
Sharma emphasized that administration officials had promised a different setup. "They assured us that all Ajmer Highway-bound buses, including roadways buses, would operate from this new terminal. That promise has not been kept," he added.
Officials Cite Initial Teething Problems
Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials acknowledged the issues but called them temporary. They described the situation as typical teething problems that would resolve within days as passengers adjusted to the new terminal location.
One official explained the passenger confusion. "What happened was simple: passengers were not aware that services from Heerapura terminal commenced on Friday. While buses waited ready at the terminal, passengers continued waiting at the 200-Feet Crossing," the official said.
Congestion Relief Achieved Despite Disputes
Authorities highlighted a key benefit of the new terminal arrangement. By prohibiting buses from picking up or dropping passengers directly at the 200-Feet Bypass Crossing intersection, traffic congestion at that busy junction has significantly decreased.
The development represents a major infrastructure upgrade for Jaipur's transportation network. However, the dispute between private operators and state authorities continues. All parties now watch to see if the promised adjustments materialize in the coming days.
