Kovai needs more bus shelters

 When it comes to infrastructural development, Kovai is far ahead of many other districts in Tamil Nadu. Despite the growing number of vehicles in the city, wide roads, well-positioned bus stops and signals have made the city one of the most congestion free traffic networks in the state.

But the lack of proper bus shelters in many parts of the city has come as a major blow to commuters who solely depend on the public transport system. With the mercury soaring high, the common man is finding it difficult to seek shelter from the blazing sun.

The number of bus shelters on the entire Avinashi Road is almost nil. It is to be noted that bus shelters on the road were pulled down nearly two years ago in connection with the road widening project. It is almost a year since the road work was completed, yet no action has been taken by the Corporation to rebuild the bus shelters.

“It is very hot and I find it very difficult to wait for a bus without a bus shelter. It is like standing inside a big oven,” said Rajalakshmi, a teacher. Murugan, a worker at a private mill recalled that while he was standing at the Hope College bus stop, a girl swooned unable to bear the heat. Many college students also expressed difficulty due to lack of bus shelters. “We had our model exams in the afternoon and it was very difficult to go to college in the blazing hot sun and lack of bus shelters makes matters worse. So most of us go to college in the morning,” said Namachivayam, a Bio-Tech student.

Avinashi Road is not a sole case; the matter is no different at the Puliyakulam Road, connecting Trichy Road and Avinashi Road. Save a bus shelter in front of KR Bakes, there are no other bus shelters on the entire stretch. “Most of the bus stops in this area have trees, so we don’t face problems despite the lack of a shelter. But since there is no proper marking as to where the bus should stop, the drivers stop buses whereever they like and the people are forced to make a pell-mell dash to board the buses,” said Rama, a homemaker.

When expresso spoke to Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra, he said steps were being taken to rebuild the bus stops. “Earlier, a decision was taken to outsource the building works to private parties. But it didn’t work out because of government regulations.” Certain sources, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that though proposals were made to build bus shelters from Corporation fund, MLA fund or MP fund, no steps have been taken in this regard.

Published in Expresso on May 4

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