City bus stand paints a picture of neglect

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 3

Passengers at the city bus stand face a tough time due to sewage overflow. They say passing through the area where dirty water is accumulated is really difficult. They say besides a foul smell, dirty water accumulated inside the bus stand for the past over a week poses a greater risk of water-borne diseases.

It seems that the PRTC authorities have overlooked the issue that has been creating a lot of problems for passengers at the bus stand. Besides sewage overflow, cleanliness measures are quite poor. Garbage can be seen strewn on walking aisles and in the bus parking area as well. Even the condition of toilets is deplorable. These are not cleaned properly and emanate a foul stench throughout the day.

Moreover, unclean water is supplied for consumption at the city bus stand. On a visit to the city bus stand, Bathinda Tribune found that tanks used for water storage have dirt and sand on the surface. Ironically, unaware of the source of water, passengers have been drinking impure water as the authorities have turned a blind eye towards it.

A PRTC employee said all three water storage tanks installed on the terrace of the bus stand building had not been cleaned for months. He said the situation was same last year as well.

Moreover, the water served at the water cooler is not fit for drinking as it is not only contaminated, but also quite warm. The employee said contaminated water was being supplied for the drinking purpose for the past some time. “Though the matter is in the knowledge of the authorities concerned, they have not taken any corrective steps to ensure that passengers or visitors and PRTC staff get potable water. While a majority of the PRTC staff and workers are aware of the contaminated water supply, passengers are at the receiving end as they are not aware of it,” he said.

Parveen Kumar, general manager, PRTC, Bathinda, said, “I will ask the person concerned to clean water tanks at the earliest. The sewerage has been cleaned properly.”