Jaipur: Private bus operators in Jaipur have opposed the traffic police’s decision to divert buses plying on Agra Road and Delhi Road through Shanti Path, alleging that the move has led to confusion, penalties and operational disruptions.In a letter to the transport secretary, the All Rajasthan Private Bus Owners Association said the diversion has left operators vulnerable to arbitrary enforcement despite complying with police directions.Association president Kailash Chand Sharma alleged that the traffic dept’s recent order has become a persistent problem for bus owners and drivers. He said buses are following the altered route, but Regional Transport Office (RTO) inspectors are stopping them near 7 No. Tila on Jhalana Bypass and issuing challans for permit violations.“As per rules, the traffic dept has no authority to divert buses on a permanent basis. The traffic and transport depts should jointly decide the route diversion plan, following which the revised alignment should be endorsed en route permits. However, traffic officials have only verbally informed us about the change,” Sharma said.Traffic officials, however, said the diversion was introduced after an interdepartmental meeting. According to them, Govind Marg is too narrow to accommodate large buses moving in both directions during peak hours.“This decision will not only ensure the free flow of traffic on Govind Marg but also reduce the chances of accidents on the stretch between Transport Nagar Gurdwara Crossing and Moti Doongri Circle,” an official said.The association alleged that RTO inspectors are treating the police-directed diversion as a route permit violation and, in many cases, are also imposing penalties for operating without a permit.Operators said the practice has increased costs and created uncertainty, with drivers facing repeated checks despite complying with the diversion.“For route violation cases, RTOs are also imposing penalties for permit violations. As a result, owners have to pay challans as well as monthly route permit charges along with penalties. Many operators are ending up paying route permit charges twice or even thrice a month,” Sharma said.
