Tussle among stakeholders holds up work on pvt bus stand

The work on the new private bus stand in the town is held up owing to the difference of opinion among stakeholders.

The department of Agriculture had handed over a three acres to the city municipal council for the construction of bus stand last year. Since the work did not stop even after a year, the department informed the municipality that it would take the land back. This spurred the City Municipal Council into action and it laid the foundation stone for the second time, a few days ago. But, the project has ben facing opposition from private bus owners and some BJP members of the municipality.

The city municipality has prepared a Rs 4.99-crore plan for the new bus stand. The state government has promised to sanction Rs 3.75 core out of which the first instalment of Rs 1.90 crore has already been released. The government has asked the City Municipal Council to meet the balance out of its (municipality’s) fund. However, it is being said that the local agency is finding it difficult to bear the cost, given the fact that it has lagged behind in collection of property tax.

The City Municipal Council has plans to build a terminal at a cost of Rs 2.50 crore, lay concrete road spending Rs 1.68 crore, compound at a cost of Rs 13.25 lakh, drains at Rs 52 lakh and modern toilets at Rs 20.55 lakh. Also, there are plans to widen the Raja Seat road.

Some people are of the opinion that the construction of the private bus stand near the Race Course Road will increase the traffic density in the town. Members of the Bus Operators’ Association said the passengers may have a hard time as the bus stand is planned to be built in the outskirts of the city. 

The work on the bus stand should be completed in a year going by the words of district in-charge minister M R Seetaram. In that case, several diversions have to be introduced in the town.

Buses coming from Thimmaiah Road have to take a left turn from Kaveri Kalakshetra Circle and then reach the bus stand through Raja Seat Road. While exiting, the buses have to take the road near the Press Club and then the road opposite the KSRTC bus stand. Traffic density goes up near the Kaveri Hall during functions. The situation may go from bad to worse if 200 buses take this route everyday.

Having said that, it is also a fact that at present private bus stand is not situated at a convenient place. It is right in the middle of the road leading to accidents. Hence, shift the bus stand has become inevitable.

Last year, the project was stalled due to difference of opinion among the Congress, BJP and the SDPI councillors.

The members of the BJP - the opposition party in the City Municipal Council - did not turn up at the ground breaking ceremony held on Saturday. Congress members have been trying hard to get the work done during their tenure while the BJP is worried that the Congress would take the credit.

However, However, the public are hoping for a better private bus stand.