Ranchi's Khadgada Bus Stand Faces Safety Crisis After Devastating Fire Incident
In a concerning development for one of Ranchi's busiest transport hubs, a day after six buses parked at the Khadgada bus stand were completely gutted in a fire, drivers, operators, and passengers have come forward to voice serious concerns over the glaring lack of basic safety and civic facilities. The incident has sparked fears that the absence of proper fire-fighting preparations could lead to an even worse disaster in the future, putting thousands of daily commuters at risk.
Strategic Transport Hub Operating Without Essential Safety Measures
Khadgada Bus Chalak Sangh president Rana Bajrangi highlighted the critical role of the bus stand, describing it as a strategic regional connector. "The stand handles around 500–600 buses daily, including night services, with buses operating to destinations within a 200 km range such as Simdega, Daltonganj, Tata, Hazaribag, Koderma, and Deoghar," he explained. At any given time, approximately 50 buses are parked inside the premises, making the lack of safety measures even more alarming.
History of Similar Incidents and Administrative Neglect
This is not the first time the Khadgada bus stand has faced such a crisis. A similar blaze occurred in June 2023, where three buses were gutted. Referring to the administrative response, Rana Bajrangi expressed frustration, stating, "A fire tender was deployed at the stand for only two to four days after the last incident. Thereafter, it was withdrawn. There is no permanent fire post, no extinguishers, and no surveillance." He emphasized that lessons from earlier cases were never implemented, compounding the risks.
Adding to the danger, condemned and out-of-use buses are parked on the same premises due to the absence of a separate garage. Bus driver Mukesh Singh pointed out additional shortcomings: "There are no service points to wash or inspect buses, no proper drinking water, and no sanitation facilities. Nearly 5,000 passengers commute daily, yet there is no ambulance on standby."
Passenger Safety Concerns and Evacuation Risks
Passengers have echoed these concerns, with Sakshi, a passenger bound for Hazaribag, warning, "If a fire breaks out during peak hours, evacuation will be impossible." Operators further revealed that despite paying Rs 150 per bus as parking tax to the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC), there is no visible presence of traffic police or safety personnel at the stand, raising questions about the utilization of funds.
Recent Minor Fire Incident and Official Response
Meanwhile, in a separate but related incident, a minor fire broke out at the Khadgada bus stand after a garbage picker, allegedly intoxicated, entered a bus and accidentally set a seat on fire. The situation was quickly brought under control using a fire extinguisher, with no damage reported. Shankar Mahto, Sanitation Superintendent at RMC, stated, "The bus is safe. Around 10 fire extinguisher gas cylinders are available at the bus stand for emergencies, while 17 condemned RMC city buses are currently parked at the Khadgada bus stand."
However, this official claim contrasts sharply with the accounts of drivers and operators, who insist that the availability and adequacy of fire safety equipment remain insufficient to prevent a major catastrophe. The repeated incidents and ongoing neglect underscore an urgent need for comprehensive safety upgrades and administrative accountability at this vital transport node in Ranchi.
