Nagalakshmi Choudhary, chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, visited the bus-stand in Bidar and was “taken aback” by dirty and poorly maintained facilities. She questioned the officials of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation-Bidar for failing to keep the stop clean despite heavy traveller use.
Key points of her decrying the situation include:
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Overall Filth: She stated the bus stand was “unkempt and looks like hell,” despite serving hundreds of travelers daily.
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Poor Drinking Water: She noted the drinking water facility was in bad shape, with unclean water and taps, which could cause disease. She alleged that the lack of maintenance forces passengers to buy bottled water, suggesting a “hidden agenda” by officers.
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Unmaintained Toilets: Public toilets were reported to be in a poor state. She was angered by staff claims that the contractor refused to provide cleaning material other than brooms.
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Neglected Mother Care Room: Reports also indicated that a room established for mothers to breastfeed was uncleaned, dusty, and not fit for use.
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Lack of Safety/Security: The number of CCTV cameras (reportedly eight in the entire stand) was found to be insufficient, and there was no visible information on who to contact in emergencies.
