‘Former Bus Shelters’ are much ‘SMARTER’ than the Present ‘Smart Bus Shelters’?
Mangaluru: Just look at the ‘Smart Bus Shelter’ that has come up near the entrance of St Agnes College, Bendore-Mangaluru- and just look at the beautiful and spacious Bus Shelter on the other side of the road/opposite to St Agnes College gate. I am sure everyone who sees these two bus shelters, will definitely say that the latter bus shelter is much better, spacious and convenient than the former. Then why even construct a bus shelter which does not meet the requirements of the commuters. The earlier old-type bus stand near the St Agnes College gate was much bigger, spacious with proper seating space. Just because “Someone” objected towards the new bus shelter coming up very close to the college gate, which would block the Institution Name, therefore after many protests and pressure from the public, a namesake ‘Smart Bus Shelter’ has been constructed- which is nothing but USELESS.
Looking at the structure/design of these ‘Smart Bus Shelter’ I only can say that the person or persons who designed these bus shelters, probably have no monsoons in their region? Just look at the height of this bus shelter near Bendore- if it rains with gusty winds, the persons standing inside this bus shelter will be completely soaked. And what so funny about this bus shelter is that there is one SMALL bench which could accommodate around 7-8 persons, when thousands of girls attend the college nearby, plus other citizens. Not at all Smart! Whereas the bus shelter across the road from the college has more seating space, and the height of the bus shelter is low, thus preventing any rain getting inside. With the bad designing of these smart bus shelters and also complaints from the citizens, the smart city project committee headed by DC has put a hold on constructing any more such shelters.
As per the earlier plan, the Smart Bus Shelter that was supposed to come up near SAC-Bendore should have been of Type A category, but what we have now is Type B. The shelters are of three types-Type A would have an e-toilet and would be 13.5 m long. Type B would have no e-toilet and they would be 11.5 m long. Type C also would have no e-toilet and their length would be 8.5 m. All shelters would have a common width of 2.4 m. In addition, all of them would have an interactive display and real-time indicator in common, as per Nazir, who is also the Commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation, mentioning that of the nine shelters, ‘A’ type shelters would come up in front of St. Agnes College and near Hotel Lalith International in Surathkal. B type shelters would be built at Kavoor Junction, Mullakadu, Mannagudda Gurji Centre, Panjimogaru-Vidyanagar Cross, near Bharat Mall and at KIADB Baikampady Industrial Area. A ‘C’ type shelter would come up at Paldane. But well said by the Commissioner, but in reality, it is history?
Also, this bus shelter has been constructed in front of the existing auto-rickshaw park, that buses are seen still stopping near the college gate- and one could hardly see anyone using the new bus shelter- just a few availing the facility on a given day? Just look at the Bus shelter near Kankanady Market, and also one opposite to Bendore Church- a lot of commuters are making use of it, due to their spacious seating facility. Whereas the new bus shelter near Bendore, having one bench, hardly anyone gets a chance to sit on it?
Also that when there are quite a few existing bus shelters in the city, which are not being utilized by the commuters other than homeless or stray animals, since they are constructed in spots where the buses don’t stop- and now Mangaluru City Corporation has begun constructing these smart bus shelters in the city under Smart City mission- doesn’t make any sense. Just waste of money. But while few of these Smart Bus Shelters were being constructed there had been already problems which the MCC is facing from a few residents and entrepreneurs who are against such huge bus shelters that take the beauty of their property and surroundings, and also that they are not commuter friendly.
And DC Sasikanth Senthil during today’s ‘Meet The Press’ programme at Mangalore Press Club said that no more such Smart Bus stands will be constructed until a proper design is made. He also said that the Smart City Committee will organize a Bus Shelter Design contest, and after the winner is finalized, that design would be used for further construction of Smart Bus Shelters. So it looks like a couple of these existing Smart Bus Shelters, including one near Bendore, would be ANTIQUE once the new design is put into existence. What a joke in constructing these bus stands without proper planning and proper design.
Also since residents have put pressure on their ward corporators to shift the shelters to a different spot, which the MCC is finding hard to find suitable places elsewhere. But as of now all the work on these Smart Bus shelters have stopped until suitable design and proper planning is finalized. In conclusion, all I can say is that we need Smart People at the helm of Smart City Projects! Period.
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