The opening of the temporary bus stand at Mannarpuram Defence grounds in the city, though largely welcomed by city residents, has literally run into rough weather.
The intermittent rain over the past couple of days in the city has rendered the ground slushy, giving a torrid time to commuters.
The bus stand, meant for buses operating on Thanjavur, Madurai, and Pudukottai routes from the city, started functioning from October 15 after city officials managed to get permission from the Defence authorities for operating the bus stand for a month. The move was conceived in an attempt to decongest the Central Bus Stand in the city during Deepavali festival season and in view of the elaborate traffic diversions in force to facilitate the construction of a new flyover near the Railway Junction.
Situated conveniently close to the Railway Junction, the Defence ground is seen as an ideal location for setting up a satellite bus stand. In fact, some civic organisations have long been urging the State government to take steps to get the land from the Defence Department for setting up an integrated bus stand, given its proximity to the existing bus stand, the railway junction, and the national highways around the city.
Over the past few days, over 600 buses, including about 500 State Transport Corporation ones, are operated from the temporary bus stand, where bare minimum facilities have been provided by the corporation.
The civic body had levelled the ground, put up a few sheds, moved in a few mobile toilets and made lighting arrangements. The police have put up an outpost.
However, the officials have failed to anticipate the rain. “The entire ground is full of slush and mud. It is difficult to walk across to board buses carrying my child and the luggage,” said Karthi, who had come to board a bus to Madurai.
N. Ramakrishnan, founder, MGR Nalpani Mandram, blames the corporation for failing to provide adequate amenities. “It is a hugely welcome move. But the civic body should have made proper arrangements. Better lighting should be provided. Security of the passengers should be ensured and they should not be made to wait for shuttle services to the Central and Chathram Bus Stands,” he said.
When contacted, Corporation Commissioner V.P. Thandapani said steps would be taken to dump quarry dust at the grounds to prevent water stagnation.
Some feel the bus stand should function for some months.
“The temporary bus stand should function at least until an integrated bus stand is set up in the city. Besides, shuttle services should be increased between Ariyamangalam and Chathram Bus Stand so that people going to the old city areas from Thanjavur can alight at Ariyamangalam and take the shuttle services,” said M. Sekaran, president, Federation of Consumer and Service Organisations.
