New commuter-friendly bus stops

KOCHI: Bus stops in the city are all set to become more commuter-friendly with Kochi Corporation embarking on an ambitious project to equip 52 bus stops with state-of-the-art facilities. As the first of its kind in the city, the modern bus stop adjacent to the Maharaja’s Ground on M G Road was inaugurated by Deputy Mayor Bhadra B on Friday. She urged commuters to do their bit by keeping the shelter clean and functioning.The modern bus stop is endowed with a newspaper stand that will allow travellers to catch up on the day’s happenings. Both, English as well as regional language newspapers will be made available here. The bus stops will be manned by personnel appointed by the Corporation. Also, mobile charging points have been installed to ensure hassle-free journey for the people. Apart from being well-lit, the shelter has facilities for people to tune into the radio. If all goes well, plans to provide free potable water at these stops will be soon realised.In the next phase, Aishwarya Advertising Industries, that took up the tender of the Town Planning Committee, will set up these facilities at Ravipuram, Edappally and St Albert’s College bus stops. Meanwhile, another private firm has bagged the tender for the remaining 40 stops in the city. The initiative is part of the larger plan to sustain Kochi’s image as a growing metro city.Councillor M B Muraleedharan presided over the inaugural function. Councillor A R Padma Das, former councillor KVP Krishna Kumar, Kumbalam Ravi, Salam Pulleppady, Venu Karukappally and M B Shajan also attended the function.Meanwhile, a rift has arisen between the Corporation and the Public Works Department (PWD) regarding the construction of these shelters on the roads under PWD’s jurisdiction. Town Planning Officer K S Subhash alleged, “The setting up of these shelters has been delayed by PWD’s intervention in the proceedings and the case is currently pending before the court. PWD wants to take decisions regarding tenders for the roads under their jurisdiction, whereas the Corporation is entitled to construct bus stops anywhere in the city.”