Subhash Nagar bus station: When it rains

By Y. Maheshwara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: The bus bays at Subhash Nagar Bus Station are in a pathetic condition and pose a risk to commuters who are forced to use it. Built in 1980s, when R Gundu Rao was the chief minister, the bus stand needs some urgent repairs.

Though it is not fair to expect a bus station, built around 40 years ago, to be in a good condition, but poor maintenance and official apathy have added to its present condition.

As the city is witnessing a wet spell, the commuters are finding it difficult to wait for buses due to leaking roofs. They complain that BMTC authorities have utterly failed to maintain the bus bays.

“I came to this bus bay to board the BMTC bus to go to Yelahanka after alighting a bus from Rajajinagar expecting a shelter from rain, but was disappointed to see the condition of the roof. With the roof leaking, I find no difference between standing at this bus bay and outside,’’ said Rajesh S, a commuter.

Another commuter, Krishne Gowda said the BMTC authorities have not done anything to improve basic amenities at this bus bay. “There are not enough benches here for the commuters. A few of the benches are in a bad condition and unfit for use,’’ he said.

A woman commuter was seen lamenting the she was unable to keep a bag of rice dry while waiting for a bus. “I thought the bus bay was safe from rain but the rice got drenched. I blame the BMTC authorities for the worse condition of bus bays here,’’ said the woman commuter on the condition of anonymity.

Even BMTC officials who regulate movement of BMTC buses are struggling to keep the entry register books safe from rain. “It looks like hell for us whenever it rains. We have to struggle a lot to keep our books safe. We have complained to our higher authorities but nothing has happened till date,’’ said a BMTC official on the condition of anonymity.

He said that no one has bothered to remove silt or weeds on rooftops of bus bays to avoid water logging during monsoon. “The bus bay was constructed more than 40 years ago. The BMTC spent money on renovation of the bus bays, but forgot to clean the roof of the bus bays,’’ said a BMTC officer.

Meanwhile, BMTC Vice Chairman M R Venkatesh has recalled how the BMTC authorities cleared the weeds and plants on the bus station premises. “I am aware of the poor condition of the bus bays. I have already directed the BMTC authorities to submit a proposal to repair the rooftops of bus bays. I will try to fix the problem as early as possible,” said Venkatesh.