Uppinangady : A bus journey intended for academic and professional pursuits turned into a harrowing ordeal for passengers stranded at the Shiradi Ghat due to a road closure and critical communication gap. On July 18, 2024, at 9:30 PM, I boarded the KSRTC Ashwameda bus from Dharmasthala to Tumkur (KA 16 F0086) to attend the ICSSR national conference at Tumkur University. The conference begins on the morning of July 19, with my paper presentation scheduled for July 20. Additionally, I had an appointment for document credential verification at the KEA Bangalore office to obtain my KSET (Assistant Professor) certificate on July 19.
However, the journey came to an abrupt halt at the Uppinangady Gundya gate entrance to Shiradi Ghat. For over ten hours, passengers have been waiting for the District Collector’s order to reopen the road. The scene is chaotic, with over 100 vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks, stranded. KSRTC should have anticipated the road closure and halted buses at the Dharmasthala bus depot to avoid stranding passengers in such dire conditions.
Passengers are experiencing significant hardships, especially women, due to the lack of access to toilets. The uncertainty has led to a restless and distressing night, with people either sleeping on the bus or wandering outside, hoping for the road to reopen.
Effective communication and planning could have prevented this nightmare journey. Authorities must inform stakeholders in advance and stop buses from the departure point if road closures are planned. This experience underscores the need for better coordination and communication in such situations. As I type this from the bus, the question on everyone’s mind remains: When will the road reopen?
This ordeal highlights the urgent need for improved crisis management and communication strategies to prevent such distressing situations for travelers.