How India moves: Local trains and city buses are Raipur’s most affordable commute options but least trustworthy

In Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, the options for public transportation are limited to autos, e-rickshaws, private vehicles, city buses, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services. The city operates 40 city buses serving Raipur and surrounding areas. However, their schedules and frequency are so infrequent that people often avoid using them.

Many women, like Manpreet Kaur, wish to use city buses as they save both time and money. However, these buses do not reach most parts of the city.

The Urban Public Transport Society, led by the District Collector, operates these city buses under a contract with the Raipur Municipal Corporation. According to the Executive Engineer of the Raipur Municipal Corporation, the city buses run on 16 notified routes covering an area of 275 square kilometres.

More buses needed

However, local commuters are often unaware of these routes and complain that buses are rarely seen in most parts of the city, especially in the busiest areas.

For connectivity between Raipur and Naya Raipur, the Naya Raipur Development Authority operates approximately 30 air-conditioned buses. However, these buses are not very beneficial for Raipur residents as their stops are limited and spaced far apart. These buses are primarily used by government employees traveling to Naya Raipur, where most state government offices and ministries are located.

These buses depart from Raipur Railway Station and pass through DKS Chowk and Teli Bandha before reaching various sectors in Naya Raipur. A medical student traveling to Naya Raipur from the railway station told Down To Earth (DTE) that the distance from Naya Raipur to the railway station is about 40 kilometres. The bus fare is Rs 40, whereas traveling by auto or taxi costs around Rs 800, which is 20 times more expensive.

He mentioned that although the bus journey takes more time, it is the most economical option. These buses operating on the BRT corridor often lack conductors. Passengers must purchase tickets at the bus stops. If a passenger fails to buy a ticket at the bus stop, they must purchase it upon alighting. These buses run every half hour from the railway station and are the best option for those traveling to Naya Raipur.

Cancellations dishearten commuters

To connect Raipur with Naya Raipur, a broad-gauge railway line has recently been completed, but only one train operates on this route, extending from Naya Raipur to Abhanpur.

Raipur Station Master NK Sahu acknowledges that this train is underutilised, with only 15-20 passengers traveling on it. Until 2019, this rail line was narrow-gauge. Sahu told DTE that from an affordable transportation perspective, no option is better than the train.

He added that people now prefer traveling by private vehicles over trains because they have the money and do not want to wait. Sahu mentioned that the daily footfall at Raipur Railway Station is 67,000-68,000, but he does not have precise data on how many passengers use local trains.

Senior journalist Alok Putul from Raipur stated that local trains connecting Raipur to Rajnandgaon and Bilaspur have been suspended for the past four years, causing significant inconvenience to commuters. He notes that passenger trains have been discontinued while coal transportation has increased.

He shared his experience, stating that before the COVID-19 pandemic, he always traveled by train from Raipur to Bilaspur and never used the road. Since the pandemic, he has not traveled by train. He attributes this to the frequent cancellation of local trains, leading salaried individuals to lose trust in train services.

Station Master NK Sahu asserted that trains are not frequently canceled. The cancellations that do occur are primarily due to upgrading work being carried out in other states.

Sahu mentioned that only one train to Dongargarh has been canceled. Approximately 18-20 trains operate in both directions from Raipur.

For intercity travel to most districts within the state, private buses are the only option. Local trains primarily serve routes to Bilaspur, Durg and Bhilai, but limited services, irregular schedules, and sudden cancellations have eroded passengers’ trust in local trains.

This article is part of our series on how India moves, which looks at the relationship between air quality and human mobility in cities and towns. This story is the second in the Raipur mobility series. Also read the first, third and fourth parts.