Strengthening of surveillance at the New Bus Stand, installation of an escalator and cloak room facilities for passengers are among the improvements suggested by Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi during her weekend review.
Mr. Bedi, who visited the bus stand as part of a follow-up on her inspection on two previous occasions, asked the Superintendent of Police (East) to strengthen security measures through surveillance using 24 CCTV cameras. The SP was also advised to conduct periodic mock drills to check vulnerability for terror attacks.
The police official, and the Commissioner of Puducherry Municipality agreed to install a public address system to cover the entire bus stand and provide police personnel with cordless microphone sets.
Besides, the Commissioner agreed to work with the PWD to initiate action to install escalator on both sides of the approach to the passenger overbridge. A detailed proposal for the work will be drawn up shortly.
Municipal authorities were advised to set up cloak rooms for transit passengers and take steps to build new toilets.
As regards maintenance and upkeep of the seats, officers from the Puducherry Municipality were urged to work with citizen volunteers. The volunteer group, Keep Pondy Clean, has come forward to help with the general upkeep and distribute auto fare card to passengers so that they know the correct fare fixed by the RTO.
During her revisit of the Government Quarters in Lawspet, Ms. Bedi noted that the circular unoccupied building was being used as a junkyard instead of its original purpose of serving as a shopping place. Senior officers were requested to take initiative and put the building to proper use.
Responding to security concerns raised by residents, Ms. Bedi asked Superintendent of Police (North) Rachna Singh to enhance security through neighbourhood watch groups. In addition, the number of evening patrols will be increased, especially in areas poorly lit and prone to use by anti-social elements.
Officers from the Electricity Department promised to improve lighting on the streets.
On sanitation matters, the PWD engineer said the department would make the underground sewerage functional by November as notice to residents to apply for connections had already been served. The need for regular upkeep and beautification of the children’s park was also emphasised by the Lt. Governor.
Ms. Bedi’s weekend visit on Sunday involved an inspection of a private glass manufacturing factory at Manapet in Bahour Commune where residents have been complaining about noise pollution.
The Lt. Governor instructed the management of the factory to comply with the norms stipulated by the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee (PPCC).
Officers of the PPCC produced records of show cause notice dated May 10 issued to the management of the factory to adopt measures to reduce noise levels and submit a compliance report within 60 days. However, the factory had only complied with instructions with respect to one unit and the second unit was left unattended with regard to acoustic regulations.
The management of the factory was strictly instructed to comply with the norms prescribed by the PPCC in their show cause notice and submit a compliance report within 30 days.
