UTC MD asks MDDA & police to upgrade security
Tuesday, 20 August 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Following the gangrape of a teenager by five men working for the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) inside a roadways bus at the Dehradun Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), the managing director of UTC, Anand Srivastava, has asked the police and the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) to urgently upgrade security measures within the terminal premises. This decision came after public outcry and concerns about the apparent lack of safety at one of the busiest bus terminals in the State after the gangrape of the teenager.
This incident has triggered widespread outrage and concern over passenger safety, particularly for women and young girls who travel daily from the Dehradun ISBT. The MD inspected the ISBT on Monday. He also interacted with the officials concerned of the police and MDDA, which manages the ISBT, and asked them to upgrade security arrangements. Srivastava told The Pioneer, “I have asked the police to intensify the patrolling in the area. I have also appealed to the MDDA to ensure proper safety in the premises and install more CCTV cameras in the premises as it manages the whole ISBT.” Many have alleged that alcohol consumption among the staff inside the parked buses in the ISBT is common during late hours, which has been identified as a contributing factor to such misconduct.
Responding to this, Srivastava said that all bus drivers and conductors have been instructed not to remain inside parked vehicles at the ISBT parking area, particularly during late hours. The drivers involved in the gangrape did not reportedly undergo proper police verification, a lapse attributed to the frequent changes in drivers and conductors, particularly among those employed on a contractual basis. Considering this, the MD emphasised the necessity of conducting thorough verification of all drivers and conductors before they are hired. The sexual assault, which occurred on August 13, has not only shocked people but also sparked a broader conversation about the security protocols in place at public transport terminals. While the police have arrested all five accused, the incident has left a deep impact, raising questions about the safety of passengers at the Dehradun ISBT.
The secretary of the Uttaranchal Roadways Employees Union (UREU) Ashok Chaudhary also expressed deep shame and regret over the incident, noting that it has tarnished the reputation of the UTC. “Parents have long trusted UTC drivers to safely transport their children to bus stations in other cities and districts. This tradition has been built on trust over the years but this incident has deeply embarrassed us,” he stated. Chaudhary added that regular employees are typically more diligent in adhering to verification processes and understanding the serious repercussions of illegal actions, whereas the transient nature of contractual employment often leads to negligence in these critical areas.
