Vadodara: A senior citizen and former member of the Vadodara Nagar Primary Education Committee has written to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, highlighting the hardships faced by him and other senior citizens who traveled to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh via the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation’s (GSRTC) Volvo service. Citing issues with accommodation, inadequate travel time, and difficulties for elderly passengers, he urged the government to resolve these concerns.

Bharatsinh M. Chauhan, a senior citizen, travelled on the second trip of the Vadodara-Prayagraj Volvo bus, which departed from Vadodara on the morning of February 5 and reached Shivpuri at 10:30 pm. Upon arrival, he was allotted a room at a hotel at midnight. The room, meant for four occupants, had only one double bed. As a result, he had to request an extra bed from the hotel manager, who provided two thermocol beds. Four senior citizens shared this room.

After going to bed at 1:00 am, they were required to board the bus again at 6:00 am. Breakfast was scheduled between 5:00 am and 6:00 am. However, with only one bathroom available, they struggled to get ready within the allotted time. The bus reached Prayagraj at 9:30 pm the following night. Passengers were then instructed to reach the parking lot by 11:00 am the next day. Given that they arrived at 9:30 pm and had to travel over 15 kilometers to bathe in the Sangam, then return the same distance and report back by 11:00 am, the journey was extremely strenuous, particularly for senior citizens.

Therefore, a letter has been sent to the Chief Minister requesting an extension of the allotted time for the trip. DeshGujarat