Passengers irked as LED displays in metro buses flash messages in Telugu

AMRITSAR: While moving in Amritsar the people can have a feel of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as LED displays scroll instructions in Telugu instead of Punjabi in buses introduced under the bus rapid transit system (BRTS).

A scrolling LED display installed in a metro bus shows information in Telugu instead of Punjabi in Amritsar on Thursday. Photo: Sunil Kumar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 23

While moving in Amritsar the people can have a feel of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as LED displays scroll instructions in Telugu instead of Punjabi in buses introduced under the bus rapid transit system (BRTS).

LED displays in metro buses flash messages in Telugu along with English and Hindi. Ironically, Punjabi, the official language of state is missing from displays.

According to information, the company operating metro bus has asked drivers to select Punjabi language by changing settings of the screen. As drivers are not much tech savvy so they are unable to change the language.

Some passengers can read instructions in English and Hindi, but many want that it should be in Punjabi as they are unable to read in other languages.

Like many other projects, the BRTS was inaugurated by former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in a hurry before elections. Company officials did not get time to update the software for instructions on LED displays.

Mahinder Singh, a resident of Verka, said, “I boarded a bus from Verka and was surprised when I saw instructions in some other language about which I had no knowledge.” He said the management should update software in Punjabi.

Naveen Sharma, a resident of Chheharta, said, “I have noticed LED displays showing instructions in Telugu in metro buses. I also want that the management should update the software so that every passenger can read messages in his/her mother tongue.”

He said, “When I asked conductor about it he too showed ignorance about it. As there was no complaint book in the bus so I could not give my feedback.”

Ashwani Narang, manager of the company operating metro service said, “I have updated language in some buses, which run from the railway station to India Gate. Buses on the Verka route may not have Punjabi language displays. We have asked drivers to change settings, but they are new recruits and are not aware about the technology. We will update the language in all buses soon.”