With the festival of lights all set to begin, the Sindhi Camp bus stand in Jaipur has been witnessing a surge of travellers heading home for the holidays. The streets and railways leading to the bus stand have been teeming with large crowds, eager to reach their destinations before the auspicious festival on November 1. In addition, the students who stay in the capital for their education have also been moving towards bus terminals to reach their homes the earliest. Despite the transport department’s massive arrangements, the passengers continue to face trouble in finding a seat.
The influx of passengers has been particularly noticeable at the Sindhi Camp bus stand, a major transportation hub in the city. Commuters can be seen dragging their luggage, jostling to secure a spot on the buses bound for various cities across Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring regions.
“The rush has been nonstop since the Diwali holidays started,” said Rajesh Kumar, the Chief Manager of the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC).
“We have allocated more than 50 to 60 additional buses to cater to the increased demand, but the crowds just keep coming.”
According to RSRTC data, the state currently operates a fleet of 3,600 buses, and the rotation of these vehicles has been increased to meet the surge in travellers. Many private bus operators have also joined the fray, providing additional transportation options for the people of Jaipur.
“The majority of the buses are heading towards Uttar Pradesh, with popular destinations like Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, and Lucknow seeing a significant influx of passengers, “ said Yadav.
He added, “We’re also witnessing a high volume of travellers towards Rajasthan’s own cities like Dholpur and Bharatpur.”
“I’ve been coming to this bus stand for the past week, and the crowds just keep getting bigger,” said Neha Sharma, a resident of Jaipur.
“It’s a bit chaotic, but the excitement of going home for Diwali makes it all worth it.”
As the Diwali festivities approach, the Rajasthan government and the RSRTC have assured the public that they are doing their best to manage the situation and provide a smooth travel experience for the passengers. However, with the crowds expected to continue for at least a week, commuters are advised to plan their journeys well in advance and exercise patience as they navigate the bustling bus stand.
