Bus stand in Aldur, a distant dream

  Though the foundation stone for the new bus stand complex was laid in 2009 itself, the construction work has not yet been taken up.

Lack of bus stand has been causing inconvenience to public in general and students and drivers in particular. Aldur, which is 15 kilometres away from Chikmagalur and Mudigere,  is a growing town with about 35,000 population. People have to depend on Aldur town for all their day-to-day needs.

There are four private schools, one government school and a PU College in the town. Students from surrounding regions have to reach Aldur town to go to their institutions. Thousands of people are forced to use the 25-year-old bus stand, which is in a very pathetic state. Hence, people in the region have been demanding a new bus stand with all facilities.

While both private and KSRTC buses use the existing congested bus stand, other vehicles, which ply towards Mudigere, Chikmagalur and Balehonnur too have to pass through the same premises. Following this, instances of accidents and traffic snarls occur regularly. Considering above facts and responding to people’s demand, Aldur Gram Panchayat sanctioned a new bus stand, last year. The land attached to GP Office near Balehonnur - Mudigere road was identified for the bus stand. Shops and other buildings were vacated and the land filling works were also completed.

MLA M P Kumaraswamy laid the foundation for the bus stand, but the construction work never started. In the meantime, merchants, who were vacated from the site are in distress now. Seetharam Poojari, a merchant said that he had to undergo financial loss as his shop was shifted to a distant place. “We gave our shops hoping that the dream of a new bus stand will materialise soon. We lost our business, still the bus stand did not come up,” he said.

Road block

Apart from lack of adequate funds, another issue, which is obstructing the bus stand construction work, is a water tank situated in the identified land. Bus stand cannot be constructed at the site without demolishing the tank, which caters water for the entire town.

Gram Panchayat President C N Lakshman said that the town needs a bus stand, but GP may require about Rs 30-35 lakh to build it. “We have urged the MLA and MLC to sanction funds for the construction of bus stand. Moreover, it is difficult to demolish the water tank and construct a bus stand. Construction work can be commenced only after providing alternative arrangements for the water supply. Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council Motamma has promised us of sanctioning funds to solve the water supply crisis,” he added.