Heavy rush at bus stations

Vijayawada: With the conclusion of Krishna Pushkaralu, Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) and other satellite bus stations have turned into a sea of humanity. Scores of people were still waiting at the different bus and railway stations in the city to board a bus or train. People were hopping mad to board any bus or train that came their way to reach their destinations.

Vijayawada being centrally located, many travellers prefer to change the train or bus here to reach their destinations. The number of buses, in addition to the regular services, arranged by the authorities has turned out to be inadequate in view of the heavy rush of passengers.

The APSRTC is also operating special services to clear the rush of passengers. But this has not helped as desired to clear the pilgrim rush. Various government departments including police department requested the APSRTC to arrange buses for their staff to reach their destinations. About 900 buses from Visakhapatnam and 900 buses from Rayalaseema were brought to Vijayawada for the 12-day river festival.

People were seen jostling for space in the buses heading to various places. The unsuccessful attempts to gain access to buses or trains, let alone getting a seat or confirmed berth, made the people think of personal transportation than travelling in buses.

An RTC official said that the RTC is operating free buses in Vijayawada till Tuesday midnight to ferry pilgrims to satellite bus stations. It may be mentioned here that the city’s bus station is witnessing a round-the-clock surge of pilgrims coming for the Krishna Pushkaralu from the beginning of the river festival on August 12.

Meanwhile, the pilgrim rush has turned an issue for people who are visiting the city on various other purposes. People of the city who are to visit other places are also facing problems.