Thiruvananthapuram: For passengers especially elderly, women and children, boarding or alighting buses at the three high-tech bus shelters at Statue Junction, Palayam and LMS have become a dreadful experience. The platforms at these shelters are linked with tiled ramps which don’t have grips for support. There have been instances of people skidding on the glossy tiles. The elevated platforms are almost one foot above the road.
“Many people skid while alighting from buses. The problem gets worse during rains. But the authorities seem to be waiting for a major mishap to happen before waking up,” lamented Shailaja, an employee who commutes daily from Mudavanmugal. These shelters were constructed using Rs 4.98 lakh from V S Sivakumar’s development fund, with facilities like Wi-Fi connectivity, FM radio, mobile charging facilities and solar power panels.
“These shelters were built by Pratheeksha Bus Shelters Kerala Ltd. Initially all facilities were working fine but which is responsible for the operation and maintenance, backed out. I have received complaints about slippery ramps. Appropriate action will be taken to ensure safety of passengers,” said Sivakumar.
Pratheeksha Bus Shelters Kerala Limited is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which functions under PWD. It had assigned Green Traders for the construction of the shelters. “We had to take the approval of Trivandrum Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL) to build bus shelters. They suggested ramps for the convenience of differently abled persons. Glossy tiles were used as it is difficult to use wheel chair on matte surface” said Shanavas, CEO Green traders.
Meanwhile, development standing committee chairman Vanchiyoor P Babu countered Sivakumar’s claim that corporation was responsible for the maintenance of these shelters. “We are not responsible for maintenance and operations of projects constructed using MP and MLA local area development fund. The corporation has already incurred huge financial burden because of these projects,” he said.
