The Hindu 19.04.2013
Bus stand encroached
Passengers affected at Vaeinthaankulam bus stand.
Even as the Vaeinthaankulam new bus stand is getting
crowded every day with the start of summer vacation, encroachments by
traders on platforms affect movement of passengers, especially parents
arriving at the terminus with their baggage and children.
The
bus terminus, which was once maintained like an airport, lost its sheen
with the passage of time due to inadequate maintenance and
non-cooperation of the traders. The bus terminus started stinking as the
traders extended their business operations on the platforms with the
blessings of some from the Corporation.
Invariably,
all teashops prepare snacks by keeping the liquefied petroleum gas
stoves on the platform without caring for the passengers’ movement and
their safety. The continuous use of platform like a kitchen permanently
provided an oil coat on the platform surface that often trips the
hurried passengers, especially elderly commuters.
Smoke emanating from the boiling oil and the heat constantly being radiated from the source cause health hazard.
With the onset of summer, juice shops also mushroomed on the platform.
Since
the traders have to carry on with their business during power cuts,
they have kept their generators on the platforms, leaving a little space
for the passengers.
Passengers, who have to take the
north-bound long distance buses from the fourth platform, are the worst
affected as they are facing a nauseating problem as the nearby space is
being used for open defecation.
When Mayor Vijila
Sathyananth visited the bus stand recently, she said encroachments would
be viewed seriously and the utensils kept on the platforms confiscated
immediately. As the warning waned now, the ordinary passengers are at
the receiving end. When contacted, Ms. Vijila assured that she would
lead the encroachment eviction drive shortly to make it
passenger-friendly.