Route Diversion Increases Woes for Purnia and Katihar Commuters; Higher Fares and Extra Travel Time Become a Major Headache, Public Distressed
Special Correspondent, Purnia/Katihar/Munger: Ordinary citizens, daily commuters, and business owners traveling from the two major districts of Bihar's Seemanchal region — Purnia and Katihar — towards Munger and South Bihar are facing immense hardship these days. Due to changes and route diversions linked to traffic movement around the Munger Rail-cum-Road Bridge (Shri Krishna Setu) or its approach roads, the travel distance has increased significantly. The situation is such that passengers not only have to dig deeper into their pockets to pay higher fares, but they are also suffering a massive waste of precious time. Deep anger is brewing among passengers and local transport organizations regarding this issue.
What is the Whole Matter? Why Have Passengers' Troubles Increased?
Buses and small vehicles traveling from Purnia and Katihar to Munger, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, or South Bihar often have to use the Munger Bridge. Due to recent changes in traffic management, road repairs, or administrative reasons, vehicles are being forced to navigate through long, circuitous routes:
Increased Distance: Due to route diversions, vehicles have to cover several extra kilometers compared to the normal route to reach their destinations. Because of this extra distance, bus and taxi operators have started charging arbitrary fares from passengers.
Heavy Waste of Time: While people previously completed their journeys within a fixed timeframe, traveling via longer alternative routes has now added an extra 2 to 3 hours to total travel time. Office-going employees, businessmen, and patients are bearing the brunt of these difficulties.
The Plight of Purnia and Katihar Passengers: A Heavy Blow to Both Pockets and Time
Ordinary people traveling at the Purnia bus stand and Katihar main chowk openly shared their distress:
Impact on Budgets: A daily commuter from Purnia stated that while there used to be a fixed fare to travel to Munger and beyond, bus operators and cab drivers are now charging up to one and a half times more, citing the longer route. In this era of inflation, these hiked fares are completely wrecking the common man's budget.
Business Losses: Traders in Katihar say they have regular business dealings with Munger and Begusarai. Goods-carrying vehicles, both small and large, now have to take long detours, which has significantly driven up transportation costs. This is directly impacting the prices of everyday commodities.
Constraints of Transport Unions and Drivers
On the other hand, bus and auto/taxi operator unions argue that they are just as troubled by this situation as the passengers:
Diesel and Maintenance Expenses: Officials of the transport union argue that when vehicles run via longer routes, diesel consumption naturally increases. Furthermore, due to poor road conditions or long detours, vehicle maintenance costs have also risen sharply. Under these circumstances, running vehicles without raising fares proves to be a losing proposition for operators.
Administrative Apathy: Drivers allege that if the administration takes concrete steps in a timely manner to repair approach roads and streamline traffic, this problem can be resolved.
This inconvenience faced by passengers of Purnia and Katihar due to route diversions near the Munger Bridge is fast turning into a serious administrative and social issue. Passengers, intellectuals, and trade organizations have strongly demanded that the district administration and the road transport department find a prompt solution to the problems on this route. If alternative routes are not made smooth and arbitrary fare hikes are not curbed in time, journeys for the people of Seemanchal will become even more agonizing.
