Surat BRTS : SMC Leaders’ Diwali Gift Fails

Surat : The leaders of the ruling party in the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) are facing severe backlash as thousands of women and children were denied the promised free travel in Surat BRTS and city buses. The controversy erupted after Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways, Darshana Jardosh, along with Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and other senior leaders, announced a Diwali gift to the citizens.

On Wednesday, the leaders took to their official Twitter handles, proclaiming that women and children below 15 years of age would enjoy free-of-cost travel in BRTS and city buses from November 9 to 18. However, the festive announcement quickly turned into a major fiasco as passengers attempting to avail the promised benefit were confronted with demands for travel fares on Thursday.

Noisy scenes unfolded at BRTS stations citywide, with frustrated passengers brandishing the official tweets and Facebook messages of MoS Darshana Jardosh and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Ticket collectors, however, remained adamant, refusing to allow free travel and insisting on payment.

Sources within the Surat Municipal Corporation revealed that the standing committee had recommended free travel for women and children below 15 years, prompting the ruling party leaders to publicize the message. However, the municipal commissioner rejected the proposal, citing that BRTS and city buses are operated by the Sitilink company. According to the commissioner, any decision regarding free travel requires prior approval from the board.

Aslam Cyclewala, former Congress councilor, criticized the ruling BJP leaders, stating, “The ruling BJP leaders in SMC consider they can do whatever they want. But it was a major fiasco on the part of the BJP leaders when the passengers were not allowed to travel free in the BRTS and City Buses. The BJP is trying to make an ugly joke of the poor people traveling in the BRTS and City Buses with such fake announcements.”

The incident has sparked public anger, with citizens expressing their frustration over the apparent disconnect between the promises made by the leaders and the ground reality. As the controversy unfolds, questions are being raised about the transparency and accountability of the SMC leaders, leaving the public to wonder if such incidents undermine the trust placed in the ruling party, said Cyclewala.