BANGALORE: Here is an interesting piece of information for the regular commuters at the Shivajinagar bus depot. The huge underpass at the depot, connecting all platforms and providing a safe exit on the other side of the road outside the terminus is finally reopened after more than a year. You no more need to dodge huge buses, cars and other vehicles to cross the busy stretch near the bus stand. The underpass also provides a safe pedestrian crossing between the platforms avoiding the rush and speeding of BMTC monsters.It should be noted that the underpass got a facelift and was opened for public use following a report by City Express on June 8, highlighting the issues at the bus terminus that needed immediate attention. The closed underpass with a pitch dark view and filthy appearance was one of the issues we brought out.The subway that was latched for months is now all ready with proper lighting and security at its place.One can see sprinkles of DDT powder all along the underpass to avoid stench and infection, specially after it was not in use for months.“The underpass is completely fit to be used and we are taking all precautionary measures to ensure safety apart from cleanliness. The place was unused for months, and so we do not want to take any chance,” said a BMTC official on condition of anonymity.BMTC has also ensured security measures by deploying security men guarding the inlet. Authorities informed that the underpass will have two policemen on guard to avoid any malpractice. “The subway will provide safe passage to the public during the day. It will close at around 6.30 pm to avoid unnecessary embezzlement or evil courses,” said the BMTC official.Commuters speak“I am a regular at this bus stand since two years. The underpass was never opened and always had a scary look with stench emanating constantly.It always resembled a dark hole and seemed like a haunted and restricted area.But now that it is open, commuters will take time to get used to it,” said Priyanka S, a regular at the bus stop.Many also feel that it is the responsibility of the traffic police to direct people and see that it is being used properly. Use me pleaseOffi cials and traffi c police managing the rush near the bus stand feel that despite the promptness exhibited by the BMTC, commuters are acting ignorant, as the underpass is not being used to its fullest. According to them, although the underpass is ready to serve its purpose, commuters seem to be in no mood to follow the rules ensuring their own safety. “The subway was made and is now reopened to avoid accidents. The area in and around the bus depot with hundred of BMTC buses making multiple trips apart from the regular traffi c on the road just beside the bus stand, can be cited as an accident prone zone. But even after the subway is open, people seem to be least bothered about using the safe passage. Commuters still prefer to run, dodge the vehicles and cross the platforms or the busy road outside the depot,” said Shiva Prakash, BMTC manager, Shivajinagar bus stand.
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