Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

A new bus shelter after a long wait

Special Correspondent

Built at a cost of Rs. 50,000, it has 20 seats and tile flooring

FOR PASSENGER COMFORT: The new bus shelter in front of the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital in the city. — PHOTO: S. SIVA SARAVANAN

COIMBATORE: After a long wait, the busy bus stop along the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital has got a new shelter for passengers that will protect them from rain, sun and sometimes even coconuts falling from a tree that leans out of the hospital compound.

While the shelter provides some relief for the waiting passengers, the Corporation hopes that it will help prevent that area from being turned into a public toilet. The absence of a proper shelter had led to people using the footpath as a toilet.

Major stop

The hospital is a major stop on Tiruchi Road and buses halt over a stretch of nearly 100 feet from its gates up to the curve into Arts College Road. The areas close to the Arts College Road-Tiruchi Road Junction have looked less of a bus stop and more of a public urinal.

Mayor R. Venkatachalam and officials of the civic body inspected the stop in early January and took stock of the unhygienic conditions. During visit it was found that falling coconuts broke the shelters with fibreglass roof that were provided earlier. Besides, the Corporation also felt that only a shelter with lights would keep vagabonds away.

The Mayor had ordered that works should begin by Pongal (January 15) so that the shelter was provided before the onset of summer. South Zone Chairman of the Corporation P. Pynthamil opened on Wednesday the new shelter that was built at a cost of Rs. 50,000.

The sources said that the new shelter had been provided with 20 seats and tile flooring. This itself, they felt, should discourage people from dirtying the place. Corporation had also begun efforts to construct a public toilet close to Arts College Road so that bus stop was not abused.

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