In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has intensified its efforts to deploy over 7,000 buses to transport security forces to the polling booths across the state in all the seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections.
In response to the Uttar Pradesh Police’s demand, UPSRTC is ensuring bus arrangements for paramilitary forces and police personnel during all seven phases of the elections.
It is noteworthy that the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh are scheduled to be conducted in all seven phases. The Election Commission has deployed a substantial contingent of security forces at every polling station.
Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, LR Kumar has requested the UPSRTC managing director to provide 7,051 buses for ferrying security forces to the polling stations in all seven phases of the upcoming elections. The police headquarters has requested varying numbers of buses for each phase.
The demand for buses from UPSRTC varies for each phase of the elections. For the first phase on April 19, a request for 608 buses was made, followed by a demand for 657 buses for the polling on April 26. The third phase on May 7 requires 901 buses, while the fourth phase on May 13 necessitates 1,235 buses. Similarly, the fifth phase on May 20 calls for 1,249 buses, the sixth phase on May 25 requires 1,265 buses, and for the final phase scheduled for June 1, 1,136 buses are requested.
With the help of these buses, it will be easier to transport many paramilitary forces and police personnel to the polling stations, ensuring the completion of the voting process under complete security. The letter outlines that once a bus departs carrying a team of security personnel, it will remain assigned to that group for subsequent phases until it returns to its original district.
Following the phase-wise elections, some police forces from the electoral districts will return to their original appointed districts.
Meanwhile, new police forces will be sent to certain districts, necessitating the return of some buses and the addition of new ones.
Additionally, a 10 per cent reserve of vehicles will be required to avoid a crisis during breakdowns. The requested buses are expected to be in good condition, with proper cleanliness, glass doors, and windows. The letter specifies a need for 52-seater buses with seating arrangements of 45 soldiers per bus.
