Coimbatore Bus Stand Faces Maintenance Challenges, Affects Commuters

The new bus stand on Mettupalayam Road in Coimbatore is grappling with severe maintenance issues. The toilets emit a foul smell, and the lights are non-functional, causing significant inconvenience to passengers and bus drivers. Coimbatore district, home to millions, sees thousands commuting daily from various districts and Kerala for education and work. Gandhi Puram bus stand is a major hub in Coimbatore.

In 2010, a new bus stand was established on Mettupalayam Road near Sai Baba Temple to ease city traffic and serve passengers traveling to the Nilgiris and Karnataka. Built on a 3-acre site at a cost of Rs. 7 crore, this bus stand has received ISO certification. Despite its initial high-tech facilities like a solar roof, lift, toilets for differently-abled individuals, a breastfeeding room, and a waiting area, these amenities have become unusable due to poor maintenance.

Thousands of passengers traveling to Mettupalayam, Nilgiris, and Karnataka, along with over 150 bus drivers, use this bus stand. However, the four toilets are in deplorable condition, with open defecation causing a foul odor that makes it difficult for people to move around. The upper floor parking facilities are also affected as the lights are not working, making access challenging for passengers.

The lack of proper maintenance has turned the bus stand into a garbage dump, with passengers littering the area. Local buses from Gandhi Puram do not enter the new bus stand but pick up and drop passengers outside, leading to heavy traffic jams and making the area accident-prone. Many passengers now use the bus stand only for parking facilities. Although two sanitation workers have been appointed for cleaning, their work is not done properly.

Coimbatore Corporation officials have commented on the issue, stating plans to appoint more sanitation workers. They acknowledged open defecation as a major problem and mentioned that CCTV cameras would be installed at the bus stand to monitor maintenance work.

During his visit last week, Transport Minister Sivashankar instructed the transport department deputy commissioner to investigate the high number of accidents on Mettupalayam Road. He also mentioned that he would take action regarding irregular bus schedules after consulting with the district administration.

Despite its potential to cater to thousands of people daily, the bus stand is now used by only a few hundred due to these issues. The cleaning work was carried out only for protocol during the minister's visit. The situation calls for immediate attention to restore the facilities and ensure proper maintenance.

The new bus stand on Mettupalayam Road was designed to reduce traffic congestion in Coimbatore and provide convenience for travelers. However, without proper upkeep, it has become a source of inconvenience and safety concerns. Addressing these issues promptly is crucial for restoring its functionality and serving the community effectively.