Govt to ply special buses to bring in revelers from the districts to Kolkata’s star Pujas
Passengers can book tickets in advance through www.calcuttatramways.com
It’s good news for thousands of Puja revelers of rural Bengal.
They can travel by CTC’s sprawling AC and non-AC buses when they come to see the Pujas in the city.
For the first time, West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) will ply around 20 buses run by Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC) to ferry passengers from several points in Howrah station, Barasat, Habra, Sodepur, Madhyamgram and Tollygunj on Saptami, Astami and Nabami.
They plan to go to Puja pandals in Park Circus, Ekdalia, Singhi Park, Kalighat Sanghashree, Bagbazar, Badamtala Asarsangha, Md Ali Park, College Square, Mudiali and 64 Palli.
Passengers can book tickets in advance through online booking on www.calcuttatramways.com or different ticket counters of CTC.
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The charge for non-AC fleets is 200 per passenger and for AC buses the fares are Rs 1,250 (from Barasat bus stand) and Rs 1,150 (from Esplanade stand)
“We are getting massive response from people from the middle of September. Initially, we decided to ply 20 non-AC buses for revelers who rush to the city from districts. More of than 50% seats have already been booked either through online mode or booking counters at different places. Standing is not allowed in these buses. We have decided to ply five more buses,” said a senior official of the WBTC.
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Three sick state transport undertakings CTC, Calcutta State Transport Corporation (CSTC) and West Bengal Surface Transport Corporation (WBSTC) were merged into WBTC.
The state transport corporation will also run two non-AC buses between Kolkata and Kamarpukur through Joyrambati on Astami (Sunday) for people who are willing to see ‘kumari pujai’ in different prominent puja pandals in these areas.
“All the 50 seats in one bus have already been exhausted. We have decided to ply one more bus for this trip Kolkata-joyrambati-Kamarpukur and back to the city trip,” the official said requesting anonymity.
“This move will help the cash-strapped transport corporation generate revenue during the puja days,” felt an official of the WBTC.