Commuters suffer as city bus stops crumble in neglect

Ranchi: Several bus stops are in a dilapidated state, causing inconvenience to daily commuters. Broken sheds, damaged seating, overgrown plants, and peeling walls have made most of the shelters unusable, forcing passengers to stand on roadsides instead of using the designated stops.With around 20 city buses and four "pink buses" for women running under the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC), thousands rely on these services daily. "The roof is broken and rainwater drips. How can anyone stand here in monsoon?" said Ramesh Kumar from Kutchery Road bus stop. "Many of these stops are no longer in use. Instead, you will find people sitting here drinking or gambling. Families and women feel uncomfortable even passing by," said Manoj Prasad, a trader near Station Road bus stop. "Garbage piles up inside the sheds, stray dogs roam around, and the stench is unbearable," said Rekha Kumari, a student. Citizens have demanded urgent repair and redesign of the bus shelters to ensure safety, cleanliness, and accessibility. "Rather than giving us shade, the bus stops have become hotspots of nuisance. Authorities should deploy workers to clean them regularly," added Ashok Verma from Firayalal Chowk.Urban Development and Housing Department principal secretary Sunil Kumar said, "The responsibility of maintaining bus stops lies with the urban local body. The repairs will be carried out."District transport officer (DTO) Akhilesh Kumar said, "The shelters have not been maintained for years. We will get these fixed in a few days."