Kagaznagar bus depot remains a distant dream

Kagaznagar has been waiting for a bus depot for more than three decades despite land being allocated for the facility. Thousands of commuters depend on private transport, while proposals to upgrade the town's bus stand and establish stations elsewhere remain pending

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Proposals to establish a bus depot in the industrially developed town of Kagaznagar continue to remain a distant dream, leaving thousands of commuters frustrated.

Asifabad is one of the four first depots established by the Nizam rulers in 1932. It is the only depot in the district, catering to the transportation needs of the Asifabad and Sirpur (T) Assembly constituencies. The TGRTC’s Kagaznagar division, located in the Sirpur (T) segment, contributes a significant share of revenue to the depot, officials noted.

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Every day, thousands of passengers from Kagaznagar, neighbouring villages and Sirpur (T) town rely on public transport services. Some are forced to depend on private carriers such as autorickshaws, jeeps and cars to reach their destinations, paying exorbitant fares. People in the region have been demanding a depot in Kagaznagar for a long time.

A proposal was submitted to the government in the 1990s to establish a depot at Kagaznagar. A 4.5-acre parcel of land was allocated in the Petrol Pump area near Trishul Pahad for the depot, rekindling hopes among commuters in the region. However, the facility has remained a mirage for more than three decades, frustrating passengers.

Local MLA Dr Palvai Harish raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly recently. He urged the government to establish a depot in Kagaznagar at the earliest. He regretted that the land earmarked for the proposed depot was likely to be encroached upon. He urged the government to fulfil the long-pending demand of the people while protecting the land.

Meanwhile, the Kagaznagar bus stand is in dire need of an upgrade. A proposal was prepared a few months ago to modernise the facility at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. However, the proposal remains confined to paper, with the tendering process failing to take off. The existing facility is narrow and lacks basic amenities, causing severe inconvenience to passengers.

Ironically, Sirpur (T) town, the headquarters of the Assembly constituency, has no bus station despite its historical significance. The town was once a capital of tribal kings who ruled the region around 1,000 years ago. Similarly, the remote village of Bejjur remains without a bus station. Proposals to establish the two facilities have been shelved, leaving commuters in the lurch.