The State Bank Bus Stand, which almost had been forgotten by Mangaluru City Corporation in terms of cleanliness and facilities, got the much-needed facelift here on Sunday after volunteers under Swatch Mangaluru Mission launched their 10th Shramadan of Ramakrishna Mission’s Swatchata Abhiyan Phase V.
All private and some KSRTC service buses, including inter-city ones, originate from State Bank Bus Stand, which was initially planned to be a temporary one after the Hampanakatte Bus Stand was closed down. Hundreds of passengers who wait for buses had to face the hardship of lack of seating arrangement, unhygienic surroundings and other shortcomings.
The 10th Shramadan was flagged off by Bharatiya Catholic Yuva Sanchalan’s secretary Roshan Rocco and Mangaluru Paint Dealers Association president Gurudatta Shenoy in Abhiyan convener Swami Ekagamyanandaji’s presence. Abhiyan Coordinator Umanath Kotekar said on the occasion that the Swatchata Abhiyan was not just witnessing areas being cleaned but also bringing together people from different sections of society for a noble cause.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Hanumantharaya said that the cleanliness concept should be imbibed in everyone’s mind to keep their surroundings clean first. Only then Swacch Bharat could be achieved, he said.
About 50 members of the sanchalan under Adlin Jyothsna cleaned areas where passengers wait for buses. Members of Nivedita Balaga and Sharada Mahila Vrinda cleaned the outer premises of the bus stand. Members of Paint Dealers Association cleaned the market and surrounding areas.
Heaps of garbage lying on the road leading to Rao and Rao Circle was removed and cleared. Building debris lying in a corner of the bus stand were removed with earthmover by Dinesh Karkera and others. Suresh Shetty and other volunteers visited street vendors selling fish and urged them to keep the area clean.
Realising the lack of seats for passengers, volunteers installed concrete seats and fixed broken concrete benches that already existed in the bus stand. The shelter as well as seats got a fresh paint coat from 12 experts who used about 50 litres of paint. The adjoining compound wall which was used as an open urinal was cleaned using water from tankers.
Volunteers of Ramakrishna Mission Swacch Puttur team carried out a cleanliness drive in front of Mottethadka Fire Station and Kemminje Government Primary School premises.