Ranchi: The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has taken over the collection of toll and other revenue at the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Bus Terminal in Khadgarha, ending the third-party collection system at the city’s main interstate bus hub.The civic body collected around Rs 1.5 lakh in the first two days of the new arrangement. Nearly 500 buses use the terminal daily.Under the revised system, buses entering or leaving the terminal will be charged Rs 150 for 24 hours, while autos and e-rickshaws will pay Rs 20 for the same period. A joint team comprising revenue inspectors, sanitary supervisors and an asset superintendent has been deployed to collect the charges and issue official receipts.The move follows allegations and concerns over transparency in the tender process. RMC officials will now monitor collections, vehicle movement and compliance with the prescribed charges. The civic body also expects the direct supervision system to discourage buses from picking up passengers outside the terminal, particularly near the adjoining petrol pump, and help ease traffic congestion in the area.“Only authorised RMC personnel will be involved in toll collection and all payments will be made against official receipts,” an RMC official said.Collection will take place in two shifts — 4 am to noon and noon to 8 pm. A duty roster has been prepared for the first 15 days, and all personnel have been instructed to carry RMC-issued identity cards while on duty.RMC has issued a seven-day notice to owners of abandoned, condemned and unused buses and other vehicles parked on the terminal premises to remove them. Vehicles not cleared within the deadline will be assessed and valued by the competent authority or the motor vehicle inspector (MVI), after which RMC will initiate auction proceedings as per rules.
