With the Self Help Groups taking over the task of garbage cleaning, the Central Bus Stand in the city, named after former Municipal Chairman A.S.G. Lourdusamy Pillai, is slowly but steadily becoming one of the best maintained bus stands in the region.
Till a few months ago, a private solid waste management company had taken up the task of cleaning the bus stand. Since the licence granted to it was cancelled for flouting rules and regulations of the agreement, the Corporation roped in the services of Self Help Groups to clean the bus stand.
Since then, two SHGs, namely Osthi and Vennila, have been taking up the cleaning task in the bus stand, which receives hundreds of passengers, mostly transit daily. Since they took over the cleaning task, the Corporation introduced round-the-clock system for effective cleaning.
As per the present arrangement, 34 persons have been engaged in the job. They will have to work in three shifts on rotation. While the first group take up the cleaning work between 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the second group will take charge from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Third group will be in place between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Wearing jackets issued by the Tiruchi Corporation the workers do their job systematically. They collect garbage, eatables, plastics, plastic cups and others strewn on passenger shelters, bus bays and waiting rooms for every 10 minutes. Besides, they insist the passengers to use the dustbins to drop food waste and garbage.
“At least 10 SHG members will be at the bus stand at any time. We clean our respective zone for every 10 minutes. It makes us to execute the task easily,” said A. Alagammal, an SHG member.
If the women SHG members are taking up cleaning the waste, men SHG members take care of cleaning the free toilets in the bus stand. Their job is not just to clean the toilets but also to prevent open defecation. Not many were seen passing urinal on open space. The plan of imposing fine of ₹250 for defaulters seems to be working well as a deterrent effect.
The operator at the service centre keeps on warning against open defecation.
“We must agree that attitude of passengers has changed a bit. However, we keep a vigil against open defecation. We collect fine from at least two passengers a day,” said S. Siva, an SHG member.
While agreeing some positive changes in the bus stand, K. Markandan of Pudukottai, said it could be made as a model bus stand. Floor cleaning, bus shelters and automatic toilet cleaning system could also be improved. The authorities should introduce a few more passenger friendly facilities by following best practices in the country.
