Karnataka   

A wasted effort? Ground truth

No takers: The private bus stand at Nallacheruvu.

The private bus stand at “Nallacheruvu” in the city is a testimony to how public funds are wasted.

For, the bus stand, constructed by spending Rs. 65 lakh, has not been put to use even 10 years after its completion.

In 1996-97, the then Deputy Commissioner Manjula decided to shift the private bus stand at the Gadagi Chennappa Circle (earlier called Royal Circle) in the heart of the city, to ease the traffic congestion.

She got the bus stand shifted to an open land, belonging to the Health Department, near the Raghava Kala Mandira. The move was opposed by bus operators and elected representatives. The bus operators wanted a new bus stand to be constructed first before the shift could take place.

Later, she initiated steps to get a new bus stand constructed at Nallacheruvu. The Karnataka Land Army, which was entrusted with the work, completed the task. But the new private bus stand could not be put to use because it lacked a proper approach road. It is a mystery how engineers did not consider this before going ahead with the construction.

The new private bus stand has two approach roads. One is very narrow with a hairpin bend, while the height of the rail over bridge on the second is not adequate for a bus to pass. Moreover, the hairpin bend and the manned level crossing near it, causing frequent traffic jams, was making it difficult for buses to use that road, according to many bus operators.

To overcome the problem, the district administration came up with the idea of providing a link from the main road (NH 63) to the private bus stand. But the work had to be abandoned when it was realised that the proposal was not practical.

Meanwhile, the temporary private bus stand has now almost become a permanent one. It lacks basic facilities and passengers are being put to a lot of inconvenience. The new private bus stand has become a resting place for stray cattle and a haven for nefarious activities.

M. AHIRAJ IN BELLARY

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