Tamil Nadu - Dharmapuri   

Lack of basic amenities haunt passengers

By Our Staff Reporter

DHARMAPURI, JULY 31 . The Dharmapuri Bus Stand lacks amenities like drinking water, proper passenger platforms and sanitation.

The bus stand, despite falling under the category Class `A', failed to produce even the basic facilities, a passenger said. Sources in the Municipality, on conditions of anonymity, pointed out that "Municipal bus stands are graded as A, B, and C based on the facilities provided, but the Dharmapuri Municipal Bus Stand certified under category Class A does not have the required civic amenities."

`Wanting in facilities'

The only water tank for drinking purposes also leaked all day defying the very purpose for which it had been set up. After a detailed inspection, transport authorities pointed out that the bus stand was wanting in certain basic facilities.

According to a transport official, "the new public convenience that awaits inauguration has not been constructed properly." Exorbitant rates were charged for using the public toilets, he added.

Around 600 buses from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu ply in and out of the bus stand every day. Due to insufficient parking facilities and congestion buses were being parked everywhere. Most of the parking space available for around 50 buses is occupied by two-wheelers.

Encroachments on platforms

Worse are the encroachments that have come up on the bus stand that occupy various entry points and cause hardship to passengers. Unmindful of the heavy traffic, shopkeepers spread out the articles on the platforms itself forcing passengers to stand in the open jeopardising their lives.

These encroachments not only affect passengers but also hamper the movement of buses.

While Municipal officials claim that the encroachments are being removed, owners of Municipality-approved shops allege that the Municipality has taken no honest action in clearing the encroachments.

Adding to the woes is the garbage near the bus stand that has not been cleared for several days. Passengers point out that it is high time that the Municipality provided adequate drinking water facilities and cleared the garbage regularly.

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