The normally dirty walls and pillars of the mofussil bus stand in Kozhikode have now been covered with paintings, and messages against drug abuse, smoking, alcoholism, child abuse, littering, pollution, and even warnings against pickpocketing. Even the stinking comfort station has been covered with pictures.
It has been over a month since two teachers and 10 students of the art club at Government Higher Secondary School, Payyanakkal, started beautifying the bus stand as part of the Kasaba Janamaithri Police’s effort to make the bus stand ‘women, child and disabled friendly’. They would turn up at the bus stand early every Sunday and engage in covering available surfaces with paintings.
On Sunday evening, the team comprising Hindi teacher Aji R., art teacher Liju K. and students Fahadh A.T., Ibrahim Badushah, Shobhith P., Nirshana, Sarang Sayooj, Adaiv, Akbar Salu, Sarjaaz, Aju P.S. and Aksa were busy giving final touches to their paintings, while Kasaba Circle Inspector P. Pramod monitored the work. The bus stand will be declared ‘women, child and disabled friendly’ on Monday.
“People feel happy and at home when they see the art work on the walls. That is the only remuneration we need,” said Ms. Aji.
Starting Monday, the police aid post at the bus stand will have two women police officers on duty round the clock. Nine CCTV cameras on the premises will ensure that no eve-teasers or pickpockets are spared.
No-drugs zone
The bus stand will be a no-drugs-and-smoking zone with shops refraining from selling cigarettes and other addictive substances. Children, if found unattended, will be taken care of by the police. The aid post will also act as a sales counter for products of differently-abled people.
“The bus stand has been a centre for drug peddlers for the last 30 years. We arrest one or two every week and no change has come of it. This is an attempt to change the image of the bus stand. Once it is clean and without shady corners, there will be no room for drug peddlers here,” said Mr. Pramod.
The Janamaitri Police have also made efforts to replace damaged chairs at the bus stand and to offer medical and trauma care assistance to passengers.
