Kolkata: After a gap of four years, the West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) on Thursday reintroduced the popular Sealdah-Howrah bus route. Traffic cops claimed that once the bus starts operating in full swing, it will be difficult for encroachers, especially those near Koley Market, to take up road space.
The Sealdah-Howrah route was discontinued during the pandemic.In its new innings, the bus will terminate beside the Sealdah metro station and not Rajabazar. At present, four services will be available on either side every hour. Services will be increased, depending on the response. The first day saw all bus seats getting filled up before departing Sealdah.
Cops have recently cleared BB Ganguly Street — including Koley Market — and are hoping to keep it that way by stopping illegal hawkers and traders from dumping their wares on the road. “We had been lobbying with WBTC to reintroduce this route where you can complete the entire trip for just Rs 7-8. The major reason is because the route will help us keep BB Ganguly Street encroachment-free,” said a police officer.
“It had become impossible to navigate through BB Ganguly Street due to encroachments and we started losing customers. Skirmishes between hawkers and our drivers became frequent. We then decided to use the alternative route after approaching the transport department. It would take more time and cover distance and we would lose passengers,” said Sanjay Dinda, a bus driver from the Howrah depot.
The bus will leave Sealdah station and then ply through Koley Market, B B Ganguly Street, Dalhousie, Strand Road, Howrah bridge, Howrah station and terminate at Howrah Maidan.