Kempe Gowda Bus Station, popularly known as Majestic bus stand, is a critical hub for thousands of commuters in Bengaluru. However, it is grappling with numerous issues, such as poor toilet hygiene, inadequate water dispensers, and subpar road maintenance. Many passengers are resigned to these conditions, reflecting low expectations regarding public amenities.
Toilets at Majestic Bus Station have been criticised for their lack of cleanliness. “The washroom has a stench. But what else can you expect? So many people come to Majestic and use the washroom. It’s a public toilet; our expectations aren’t high,” said Deepa M., a passenger.
Need for water dispensers
Water availability is another pressing issue. While BMTC typically provides one water filter system per station, the vast size of Majestic Bus Station and its high footfall necessitate more dispensers. “Majestic Bus Station is rather big, there should be more water dispensers present,” said Savitha N., a daily commuter.
A BMTC bus passes over a pothole filled with rainwater at the entrance to the Kempegowda Bus Stand. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
Another commuter, G. Viresh, highlighted the convenience of buying plastic water bottles due to the lack of dispensers despite the environmental concerns. Mohammad Faisal, a student, added, “The water available in the station dispensers doesn’t seem too clean, which is why most people are buying plastic water bottles. But this causes littering, as you can see around the station.”
The station currently has two water filters, of which one is non-functional. Awareness about these dispensers is also low.
While the lack of water dispensers encourages people to buy plastic water bottles for convenience, it also leads to littering on the premises. | Photo Credit: file photo
Badly maintained roads
Road maintenance near the station entrance is another recurring problem. “BMTC repairs this part of the road three to four times every year since the large footfall and the continuous passing of buses affect its condition,” explained a senior BMTC official. A BMTC driver confirmed that the poor road conditions are affecting their operations.
The station also faces a shortage of seating, but a senior official said that Majestic is not a station where people usually have to wait for very long. | Photo Credit: file photo
The station also faces a shortage of seating, but a senior official said Majestic is not a station where people usually have to wait very long. If passengers make further demands, they will look into it, but so far, no such request has been officially made. Regarding toilets, the official clarified that they are managed by private contractors, and any complaints are addressed with them to ensure improvements.
