Hassan: Bus stand that it barely is

Lack of bus shelter forces passengers to brave scorching sun and rain

But, no one seemed to take note of this. As a result, two precious lives were lost at NR circle early in the morning on Friday. In the past, about eight people had paid with their lives at the very spot. This was probably grave enough for officers to act upon this. The city did witness some road widening at the place. However, this proved to be inadequate with two people getting killed recently. Now, it remains to be seen whether the officers will create some facilities to ease out the situation.

Few minutes into the accident and instant death of two people, a protest was staged. People shouted slogans against KSRTC, blaming it on the drivers. What came through  really was the frustration of the people who were sick of frequent shifting of bus stand, and complete absence of passenger friendly facilities at the place.

Though Friday’s accident had no connection with KSRTC ever, since it was a lorry that was carrying fertiliser, protestors were pointing at the mess that has been created following the shifting of KSRTC bus stand.     

One look at the accident spot is enough for people to understand what has really gone wrong. Apart from asphalting the road, nothing else has been done. Passengers still wait for buses getting drenched in rain, and in the scorching sun -- for there is no bus shelter here.   

All the buses stop at N R Circle and if the authorities were bent upon providing stoppage for the buses here, the least they should have done is to create facilities so that the wait is comfortable to minimum extent. There isn’t even a single temporary shed for the buses, and a footpath is completely non-existent at a spot where the buses take a turn, forcing people to go jaywalking all over the place and risk their lives.

Maxi cabs also stop a little distance away, to pick up their share of customers. People park their private cars and other vehicles just around the same place making it more congested for every vehicle and person to move around. Cutfruit sellers find the place more enticing since people are swarming all around. How can auto stand be far away from the bus stand?

With over a thousand vehicles plying on the road on a daily basis and mostly concentrated on few rush hours during the day, one can only rely on divine forces to avoid any accident from happening.

Stating that State Transport Department cannot create every civic facility needed for the bus stand, a top level officer had said the department would construct its own bus stand if they were provided the space.

Months have passed by since MLA H S Prakash promised some help from his Area Development funds. And, those who have been protesting against shops being leased out, don’t seem to understand the issues that are faced by the people.

Though new bus stand is a welcome change from the old one, people’s problems remain unaddressed.

Parking

Even at high security zones like airports, you are allowed to take your car to close to the building. But, Hassan bus stand being what it is, one can never go close to the building. And, parking charges are to be borne by even those who come to drop off someone at the stand.

Else, the only other option they have is that of stopping somewhere afar and lug the bags and children, all the way to the stand.

Even the best hotel in Hassan serves coffee at Rs eight per cup. But, it is only at bus stand the coffee is par excellence in price -- a cup of coffee here costs Rs 10! It is time the people’s representatives and activists took up these issues and created better facilities for passengers and road users before another accident claims precious lives.