Just a few years after its grand inauguration, the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) Hosur regional bus terminal in Hubballi has fallen into a shocking state of neglect and disrepair. Poor maintenance and a glaring lack of regular cleaning have transformed the facility, intended to be a modern transit hub, into an unhygienic and dilapidated space, causing significant distress to the thousands of passengers who use it daily.
A Terminal Marred by Filth and Neglect
The terminal, which began operations for long-route buses in 2020, was built to reduce congestion at the Old Bus Stand in Hubballi. It serves as a key departure point for buses heading to cities like Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Koppal, Savadatti, and Ranabennur. Despite its crucial role and the significant public investment poured into it, the current scene is one of utter squalor.
Walls and corners throughout the terminal are stained with unsightly pan spit and gutka residue. Plastic waste, including bottles, covers, and cigarette packs, is strewn indiscriminately across platforms and premises. Passengers report that the underground section of the terminal remains completely unused and has deteriorated badly. The absence of sufficient dustbins exacerbates the problem, encouraging littering.
Passenger Outcry Over Wasted Investment
Daily users have expressed their anger and disappointment, highlighting the contrast between the terminal's potential and its grim reality. Shivaraj Chikodi, a passenger from Hubballi, lamented the condition, stating, "Lakhs of rupees were spent on this terminal. From the past 5 years, the whole terminal has not been cleaned. When we enter, it should look clean and beautiful... However, this one is in a bad condition."
Echoing this sentiment, Prashant Koti, a traveler from Bagalkot, pointed out the infrastructural failures. "Most of the walls, corners, and the foot overbridge are in bad shape and stained by pan users. There are no dustbins, which forces people to throw waste on platforms. A good environment has to be created at the terminal," he urged.
Official Response and the Cleanliness Contract
When confronted with the complaints, Shivareddy YM, the NWKRTC's Hosur regional bus terminal divisional traffic officer, revealed that a private agency has been contracted for cleanliness. Every month, Rs 1 lakh is paid to the agency for this purpose. The agreement mandates daily cleaning in two shifts, involving five labourers in the morning and five in the evening.
The officer acknowledged the ongoing issue, stating that spitters on the premises are being fined. However, he also shifted part of the responsibility onto the public, appealing, "The public should also stop spitting in the terminal and support us in maintaining a clean terminal." He assured that all accumulated waste would be lifted soon.
The situation at the Hosur terminal underscores a chronic issue in public infrastructure: the gap between construction and sustained maintenance. As passenger footfall continues to grow daily, the need for effective and accountable upkeep becomes ever more critical to ensure the facility serves the public with the dignity and comfort they deserve.
