Passengers traveling from Sagwara to Udaipur faced significant difficulties when a state roadways bus broke down in Sagwara on September 24,2024, morning. The incident occurred around 10 AM near the Jaisamand police station, affecting approximately 25 to 30 passengers who were on board when the bus suddenly ceased functioning.

After about half an hour of waiting, another state roadways bus arrived to pick up the stranded passengers. However, the situation worsened as the replacement bus was overcrowded, forcing passengers to travel closely together, which added to their discomfort and frustration.

This incident is not an isolated one; it highlights a recurring issue with buses on this route. Reports indicate that there have been several breakdowns in the past, yet the responsible authorities and the government have failed to address these ongoing problems. Consequently, passengers are left to endure uncomfortable and sometimes distressing situations during their journeys.

Women, in particular, have expressed serious concerns over safety when buses break down, especially during nighttime travel. The fear of being stranded in remote areas or dealing with unreliable transport options raises significant safety and comfort issues. Many of the buses operating on routes connecting Udaipur to Jaisamand, Salumber, Jhalara, Lasadiya, Dhariyawad, Aspur, Sagwara, Dungarpur, Banswara, and Pratapgarh are noted to be old and poorly maintained, contributing to the likelihood of mechanical failures.

Former Youth Association President Jayantilal Teli voiced his alarm regarding the frequency of these breakdowns. He noted that buses break down almost daily, causing considerable inconvenience and distress to passengers. Teli urged government officials to take immediate action to rectify this ongoing issue, emphasizing the need for better maintenance of the state roadways fleet and improvements in public transport reliability.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar