Madikeri bus stand work hit by procrastination

The work on the private bus stand in Madikeri has been again hit by delay. The people are skeptical over the completion of the project within the deadline.

District In-charge Minister M R Seetaram had initiated the work six months ago. The project worth Rs 4 crore was started at Race Course Road in Madikeri.

But the work has not progressed beyond the pillar work. Currently, the work is being done only on two days in a week.

When the public and the Madikeri City Municipal Council (CMC) opposition members had raised an objection on the slow pace of the work, the administration clarified that the rain has been causing the delay. But, even after the rains have receded, the work has not gained any momentum, compared to earlier. The assurance by CMC president Kaveramma Somanna that the work will be completed before December does not seem to be fulfilled.

The current private bus stand is in the middle of the road and has been causing lot of problems for commuters and bus drivers.

The path leading to the bus stand is situated on a slope, where slightest negligence could result in a disaster. Moreover, the place is always crowded. Therefore, the public had urged to shift the bus stand. After clearing the confusions on finalising the land, the work started at the land belonging to the Horticultural department.

The bus drivers are of the opinion that the interference of politics in the bus stand work has also been a reason for the delayed work. The groundbreaking ceremony was performed twice due to this.

The foundation work was not done scientifically. MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan had urged to stop the work, alleging that no soil test has been done before laying the foundation, due to which the groundwater erupted during the work. The work resumed after directing the contractors to follow the regulations.

Race Course resident Mohan Poojary said that no official or the elected representative has visited the project site to inspect the work. The issue is limited to the discussions in the general meeting of the CMC, he added.

DH News Service