
Monsoon and bus operations delay Hubballi bus stand renovation
Hubballi: Renovation of the new bus stand in Hubballi, originally set for completion in June, was pushed to Aug. The Rs 23.4 crore project, jointly funded by the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and
NWKRTC
, began in Feb 2024 but faced delays due to the monsoon and ongoing bus operations.
The bus stand deteriorated significantly, with leaking roofs and cracked floors. After seeing the worst condition of the New Bus Stand, which was constructed 25 years ago, the authorities of NWKRTC sent a proposal to upgrade it for the approval of the govt. Later, the govt sanctioned grants for renovation. Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy performed Bhoomi Puja for renovation, and work started in Feb 2024.
Divakar Yaragoppa, NWKRTC chief engineer, told TOI that the work commenced without stopping operations of the buses. "The work was delayed during the last monsoon. Construction of platforms is being carried out. We have instructed the contractor to finish the work within the time frame. Fifty-three platforms have to be constructed and work on around 27 has been completed. Space for city operations and front elevation is pending. Buses toward Belagavi are moving from the platform. Platforms for Bengaluru, Davanagere, etc., have to be constructed. We have taken up a lot of work to provide facilities for the passengers," he said.
Yaragoppa said that the contractor is facing hardship working with the bus operations. "We have convinced the contractor, and work is being carried out. Passenger facilities like a cloakroom, ATM, baby-care, lounge, ladies' room, drinking water, redevelopment of the parking lot, etc., are being added. Flooring in the public area, tactile flooring at the platform area, front facade reconstruction with cladding and structural glazing, upgrading ticketing counters, construction and renovation of toilets, concreting of the bus driveway and idle bus parking area are being taken up," he informed.
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Sridhar Halakatti, a passenger, said that public transport facilities have to be provided at the earliest. The work has been going on for a year. Many passengers suffer without facilities and have to wait to catch a bus. The renovation work should be completed soon, he urged. NWKRTC managing director, Priyanga M, was not available for comments.
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