A Pithoragarh depot bus was forced to stop on the Champawat national highway near Devradi Band on Wednesday morning after its fan belt broke, causing inconvenience to all 34 passengers on board.
The bus, numbered UK 07 PA 4199, had left Dehradun for Jhulaghat on Tuesday evening. After travelling through the night, it reached Devradi Band between Champawat and Lohaghat at about 7:30 AM AM, when the mechanical failure occurred.
The driver stopped the bus in the middle of the road to prevent further movement. The driver and conductor tried to repair the vehicle, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The bus was then moved to the roadside as far as possible.
Passengers moved in several buses
The conductor informed the Pithoragarh depot about the breakdown. Depot officials contacted conductors of buses travelling towards Pithoragarh on routes including Dehradun and Delhi.
The passengers were subsequently taken to Pithoragarh in 3 separate buses. A different vehicle was arranged from there to complete their journey to Jhulaghat.
Ravi Shekhar, regional manager of the Pithoragarh depot, said the bus travelling from Dehradun to Pithoragarh had to be parked near Devradi Band after the fan belt failed. He said the passengers were transported to Pithoragarh in 3 buses before arrangements were made for their onward travel.
The incident has again highlighted the dependence of passengers in Pithoragarh district on a limited number of roadways services. Many interior routes have either seen bus services stop or continue with only a small number of daily services.
Limited roadways services increase taxi dependence
Several routes once connected interior and remote areas directly with places such as Dehradun, Khatima and Pithoragarh. The report notes that services on routes including Didihat-Dehradun, Madmanle-Khatima, Pithoragarh-Pasma-Bhagichoura and Pipli have declined over time.
As a result, taxis have become the main transport option for many residents. Around 150 taxis reportedly operate each day on routes covering Kanalichhina, Madmanle, Askote, Bhagichoura, Pipli, Didihat, Baluwakot, Dharchula, Madkot, Baram and Munsiyari.
An additional 150 to 200 taxis operate on routes linked to Wadda-Jhulaghat, Gaulihat, Gangolihat, Berinag, Thal, Nachani, Muwani, Bungachina, Devalthal and other areas. Many of these routes pass through roads described as being in poor condition, adding to travel difficulties for rural residents.
Roadways buses still connect several important areas, including Askote, Didihat, Madkot, Gangolihat, Berinag, Thal, Dharamghar, Dharchula and Jhulaghat. However, the report says many routes have only one or 2 services, limiting options for people who need to travel outside the scheduled times.
Residents said the shortage affects older people, statehood activists and others who rely on lower-cost bus travel. Anandi Basera of Suwalek said only one roadways bus operates on the Pithoragarh-Thal route. Pushkar Singh of Bungachina said passengers sometimes wait for a service that does not operate.
Jiwanti Devi of Devalthal said shared jeeps and taxis can be uncomfortable, while passengers may also have to wait until enough people are available. She said more regular bus services would provide greater convenience and lower ticket costs.
New buses awaited
The Pithoragarh depot is also awaiting additional buses and staff. A service between Pangla in the remote Dharchula area and Delhi was recently started but is currently suspended because of a shortage of buses and repeated disruption on the route.
The report also says services to the Vyas Valley and Adi Kailash, as well as a service to Munsiyari through Madkot, have not yet begun.
R.S. Kapri, assistant regional manager of the Pithoragarh depot, said efforts would be made to start services between Munsiyari and Didihat-Dehradun after new buses become available. He said bus operations on other interior routes would also be improved.
Conclusion
The Devradi Band breakdown was resolved by shifting the 34 passengers through 3 buses to Pithoragarh and arranging another vehicle for Jhulaghat. The incident also underlined the limited bus availability and continued taxi dependence across Pithoragarh’s interior routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why did the bus stop near Devradi Band?
The bus stopped after its fan belt broke at about 7:30 AM AM on Wednesday.
Q. How many passengers were travelling on the bus?
There were 34 passengers on board.
Q. What was the bus route?
The bus was travelling from Dehradun to Jhulaghat.
Q. What was the bus number?
The bus number was UK 07 PA 4199.
Q. How were the passengers taken to Pithoragarh?
They were transported in 3 separate buses.
Q. How did the passengers continue to Jhulaghat?
Another vehicle was arranged after they reached Pithoragarh.
Q. What transport issue affects Pithoragarh’s interior routes?
Many routes have limited or discontinued roadways services, leaving residents dependent on taxis.
Q. What did the depot official say about future services?
Assistant regional manager R.S. Kapri said efforts would be made to improve services after new buses become available.
