The old private bus stand in Madikeri, which had been a landmark for several years, joined the pages of history as it was demolished on Thursday.
The building comprising the bus stand is being demolished using earth movers. During the massive floods and landslides in August, the hillock behind the bus stand had caved in. However, the bus stand building had stood intact. Mud from the hillock had been sliding quite often since then and therefore, the city municipal council decided to clear the building along with the hillock to prevent further mishap.
Shopkeepers and hoteliers at the bus stand complex, have shifted to safer places. Some of them have returned to their native place to start their business all over again.
Regular bus commuters who have been associated with the old bus stand recollected the days when they used to come to Madikeri private bus stand to catch buses which would ferry them to the nooks and corners of Kodagu.
During his visit to the district, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had directed the officials concerned to clear the old bus stand building. The CMC could not take up the clearing work owing to shortage of funds then.
The land which is situated in the heart of Madikeri is worth crores. The CMC has planned to construct a commercial complex, but the project could not be implemented as there is shortage of funds. The commercial complex to be built in Public Private Partnership is expected to fetch revenue to the CMC.
The private buses have been ferrying commuters from the new private bus stand near Race Course road since last two months. But, the response of people is dull as there is lack of basic amenities there.
