Although the then Government was successful in persuading reluctant transporters over shifting of General Bus Stand from Batamaloo to Parimpora despite huge spending, but the stand is in shambles, desisting people from visiting it.
The bus stand area is full of potholes, in which water gets accumulated frequently and started stinking. “This bus stand is one of the biggest stands in the valley where buses run to all routes in the valley, but owing to its poor state, passengers suffer greatly,” Showkat Ahmad, a bus driver said.
Due to numerous potholes that have gone years without being fixed, the Parimpora bus stand has been transformed into a swimming pool, due to which the bus drivers and passengers undergo terrible agony.
“We lose money because of its poor condition. We are unable to operate in this filthy, disgusting bus stand. There are instances when we miss a meal. Family members question us about working in a muddy field when we get home. Daily, our clothing loses its usefulness,” Showkat said.
The then government while announcing its decision of shifting the decades-old bus stand from Batamaloo to Parimpora had claimed that it will “decongest the area”. However, the traffic mess continues to dominate morning and evening hours on the route.
“Since we were moved from Batamaloo to Parimpora, we are suffering so bad, if a small car or auto rides through here, it gets submerged into the potholes,” Nazir Ahmad, another bus driver said.
“Passengers now carry two pairs of shoes, one to wear on the bus and one to leave here in the bus stand when it gets too muddy. Every three hours, we have to change our clothes. We are currently working at this dirty bus stand. This is why we develop so many infections. It has a look of being a Corona Virus hub,” he said.
Potholes aside, transporters told Good Morning Kashmir that the bus stand lacks a basic need like a washroom. “We have been struggling with a number of problems since we have shifted here. The drains are blocked, the water gets into the bus stand. Either winter or summer, it’s all same, we are facing these multiple issues throughout the year,” they said.
“Though the matter was brought into the notice of the concerned authorities but till date no action has been taken,” they said.
“We appeal concerned authorities to take necessary measures including macadamization of the bus stand at the earliest to avoid any road accident or injury to any pedestrians,” they added.
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