Dibrugarh bus owners flag alleged collection of fees beyond municipal rates

A lessee operating the Murulidhar Jalan Bus Stand in Dibrugarh has been accused of collecting fees above the rates prescribed by the municipal corporation, with several bus owners alleging that additional charges are being imposed on vehicles operating from the terminal.

The MGBT bus stand on Convoy Road in Vairagimath was designated as the common terminal for passenger vehicles after the district administration restricted the entry of passenger vehicles into Dibrugarh town in view of the ongoing flyover construction at Amolapatty.

The terminal now handles private buses as well as vehicles operated by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), connecting Dibrugarh with various destinations across Upper and Lower Assam.

The bus stand is under the jurisdiction of the municipal corporation, which had reportedly fixed a fee of Rs 50 to Rs 80 per vehicle per day for the lessee to collect.

However, allegations have surfaced that the lessee is collecting up to Rs 100 in additional charges from buses. According to the allegations, around 200 to 250 vehicles operate through the terminal each day, raising questions over the collection of fees beyond the prescribed rates.

There are also allegations that certain bus associations, in coordination with the lessee, are collecting money from ASTC-operated buses citing various reasons.

Bus owners have further alleged that the lessee has printed receipts for collecting charges at rates determined independently, rather than those prescribed by the municipal corporation.

Several bus owners have reportedly submitted written complaints to the municipal corporation against the alleged practice.

According to the complaints, the municipal corporation has put up banners stating that an investigation is underway, but no further action has been taken so far.

The allegations have raised questions over the enforcement of the municipal corporation's prescribed fee structure and the monitoring of collections at the bus stand. The municipal corporation's response to the allegations and the status of the reported investigation are awaited.