More of a parking stand than a bus stand

BANGALORE: Chowdeswari Bus Stand is lurking under lack of civic amenities. The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) operates buses to all important areas of Bangalore from Chowdeswari bus stand. This makes it all the more important to provide this bus stand with all the necessary amenities.The commuters opine that the BMTC or Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) have to  take proper measures to provide amenities at the Chowdeswari Bus Stand. Many drivers and conductors of BMTC have complained about the lack of toilet facility at the bus stand. “Earlier, there were toilets here but the BBMP had demolished those toilets to construct  the compound wall for the ward office which is adjacent to this bus stand. They did not bother to construct the toilet for the benefit of commuters, drivers and conductors,’’ said a BMTC bus driver on  condition of anonymity.  The BMTC have made various provision for traffic controller office at the bus stand. It had constructed a toilet inside the office of traffic controller but has totally ignored to provide the similar facility for bus drivers and conductors. “They can use this toilet whenever they want. I did not object any driver or conductor in using this toilet even though it is inside the office room,’’ said the  traffic controller.Generally, private vehicles are prohibited to enter the BMTC bus stands in the city. But the BBMP seem to have forgotten this rule and parked one of its outdated vehicle on the bus stand premises. “This stationary vehicle has become an obstacle for BMTC buses. I have already complained to the BBMP authorities to remove it but in vain,’’ said the traffic controller. The BMTC operates more than 50 bus services from this bus stand and thousands of commuters are being benefited from this bus stand. The commuters want the BBMP authorities to ensure cleanliness at this bus stand and remove the vehicle that was parked here for the last few months. However, B R Nanjundappa, Corporator, JP Garden Ward, has refuted the allegations of BMTC bus drivers and conductors. ‘’The BBMP had constructed a pay and use toilet just behind the bus stand. These drivers and conductors are too lazy even to walk a few metres to use the toilet,’’  said Nanjundappa.