Taking suo motu cognisance of the ‘Express’ news report on the pathetic condition of the KSRTC Ernakulam bus stand, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Tuesday asked the Managing Director of KSRTC to visit the bus stand immediately and submit a report to improve the condition of the bus stand. Observing that the bus stand was the most ignored area in the city, SHRC acting chairperson P Mohanadas said it was becoming a hub of criminal activities.
“Immediately visit and submit a report to improve the ramshackle condition of the stand, which is one of the major KSRTC stations in the state,” Mohanadas asked the MD. It said the report should be filed within a month.
‘Express’ had carried the news report on October 24, outlining the unsafe and shabby conditions at Ernakulam KSRTC bus stand. The report clearly showed that KSRTC was reeling under official apathy with unhygienic surroundings and no basic sanitation facilities. From water coolers to washbasins, the filth there was evident.
Slamming the MLA and MP concerned, the SHRC observed that there were allegations that the representatives were indifferent about improving the bus stand, as it did not affect local people directly.
“Thousands from other districts and states mainly depend on the bus station. There are no seating facilities for passengers awaiting the buses, as the existing chairs are damaged.
An alternative power supply is also lacking, which poses threat to safety of women passengers in case of an outage.
The situation of women’s waiting room is no different,” it pointed out. SHRC will consider the case again in its next sitting at Kakkanad District Collectorate Conference hall in November.
