A bus stand sans basic facilities

A bus stand sans basic facilities

Y Maheswara Reddy First Published : 15 Aug 2010 11:40:00 PM ISTLast Updated : 16 Aug 2010 11:09:52 AM IST
BANGALORE: A few years ago, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) spent a hefty amount of cash to construct a bus stand at Kavalbyrasandra for the benefit of thousands of commuters.
However, the BMTC has forgotten to provide basic amenities such as seating arrangements for waiting commuters and canteen facilities for bus drivers, conductors and others at the bus stand. The absence of seating arrangements and drinking water facility are a clear indication of the forgotten the existence of the bus stand and negligence of BMTC.
On an average, the BMTC operates 50 buses from Kavalbyrasandra to other parts of Bangalore such as Shivajinagar, Kempe Gowda Bus Station, Housing Colony and RPC Layout. ‘’We have to depend on a road-side shop for tea or coffee. We are not in a position even to eat a bun or biscuit due to unhygienic conditions maintained at that shop,’’ said a bus conductor on condition of anonymity. Owing to the lack of seating arrangements, the waiting commuters have to squat on the floor at the bus stand.
‘’I do not know why this bus stand is being neglected by the BMTC. I expect the authorities concerned to provide basic amenities at this bus stand,’’ said Mohammed Khan, a commuter. However, a BMTC official has a different story to tell about the canteen facility at the bus stand. ‘’We have made provisions for a canteen at the bus stand. The canteen was open for a few days. The canteen owner closed it without informing us. Our head office has even sent a notice (No. 1851/2010-11) last month asking him to hand over the key to the authorities concerned immediately. He is yet to hand over the key,’’ said the official on condition of anonymity.
Its a pity to see a traffic controller functioning from a wooden structure meant for issuing bus passes for students and commuters. The bus stand premises is filled with boulders and garbage.