Sydney bus grant fuels division in Indian community
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In Sydney, Australia, a state government grant of $45,000 for a shuttle bus intended to serve Harris Park’s Indian restaurants has created conflict among local business groups.
Several organizations claim to represent the area’s business interests, and they disagree on how the bus service should operate. Little India NSW received the grant and proposed a “Harris Park Green Shuttle” but ultimately purchased a diesel bus instead of the originally requested electric model, prompting questions about how the funds were used.
Sanjay Deshwal, a former member of the original Little India Harris Park Business Association, established a rival group after accusations of misusing grant money and subsequently sued his former colleagues. This led to the creation of Little India NSW, which successfully applied for the Community Building Partnership grant. Parramatta City Council approved a motion to explore options for supporting free shuttle services and potential loading zones.
However, tensions remain high, with one councillor describing the Harris Park business community as exceptionally divisive. Little India NSW plans to improve the bus service with digital marketing, GPS tracking, and a passenger counter, while the NSW government stated the project aims to improve accessibility and support local businesses.
