The poor maintenance of MGR bus stand at Mattuthavani is a rising concern for commuters. As the peak travel season draws to a close, many shops inside the bus stand seem to have flouted rules laid down by the Corporation on upkeep.
There are close to 200 stalls selling sweetmeats, confectionery, snacks, clothing items, plastic toys, food and electronic gadgets at the bus stop. There are hairdressing salons too. Most shopkeepers have glass shelves displaying their products to attract customers outside their shops. These shelves encroach up to three feet on the platform space.
“Customers visit the shops where mountains of snack items are displayed. It immediately catches their eye. If one shopkeeper is getting the advantage by breaking the rules, others will follow,” said one of the shopkeepers.
Though they acknowledge that their violations, they claim that this is the only means to stay competitive in the market.
Despite Corporation Commissioner S. Aneesh Sekhar having made several surprise inspections, the encroachment on the platform space continues.
Shopkeepers say that the minute they hear about inspections, they hide their glass shelves and their goods. “This prevents eviction and fining,” they add.
Most shops do not have segregated bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.
It is common to find fruit peels, food and plastic waste strewn around the platforms.
B. Devishree, who regularly travels to Tiruchi, says that the general upkeep has been compromised for the past couple of months. “For some months last year, Corporation officials used to explain Clean India movement and engage in cleaning activities.
During that time, the bus stand was relatively cleaner. It has gone back to its original dirty condition now,” she complains. The nursing room for lactating mothers remains locked throughout most weekends, add shopkeepers.
A senior official from the Health Department says that the bus stand is being regularly inspected by officials.
“I will look into the usage of segregated bins and overall cleanliness soon,” he says. He adds that an inquiry would be made into the lack of cleanliness and nursing room issues.