Getting a tan in Nagpur is easy. You have the scorching sun of the summers which would darken even the moon. But there is an easier way, just drive behind an ST or a Starbus. These public transport buses emit smoke so black it makes one wonder if these buses are ever serviced or not.
No Standard is Low Enough
A common man’s common vehicle must have it all. Insurance, working headlights and all the other papers including a fitness and a PUC certificate. A PUC or a Pollution under control certificate is a document that certifies that a vehicle's emission levels are within prescribed emission standards. This ensures that the vehicle is maintained enough to keep pollution under check. Any private vehicle not possessing it is liable for a penalty. Moreover a vehicle must also have a fitness certificate. It is a government issued document that certifies that the vehicle is fit to be driven on the roads in terms of the vehicle’s overall health.
Seems like the same does not apply for the local public transport buses of Nagpur. Black smoke emitted from the bus’s exhaust is a common site. The emitted gas particles are so thick that if they come in contact with the eyes, it feels like gravel is stuck under your eyelids. It also causes irritation while breathing and a blackened face.
Last Ride?
The same goes for the maintenance of the bus itself. A look at the bus is enough to decipher the condition of the bus. Broken window rails, bumps on the back and sides, bent seats, dirty and unhygienic interiors are some features of these buses. Yet these broken tools of public transport are allowed to surf the city roads everyday.
Public transport is the backbone of the city. It makes commuting easier for people who cannot afford to own a vehicle.Maintenance of the same is of the utmost importance for safety of the public in the bus and the public driving around it. A sudden breakdown in the middle of the road can be catastrophic. Add that with toxic gas emitted from these buses and you have a recipe for disaster. It is widely accepted that prevention is better than cure. For Nagpur's public buses, prevention is better than an accident.
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