Hitech Qaiserbagh bus station a model of neglect?

Few months after renovation, one can see broken tiles, paanstained corridors and choked drains on premises

LUCKNOW : The state-of-the-art fully air-conditioned Qaiserbagh bus station, which was dedicated to public in December 2016, now lies in poor shape – it’s filthy and defaced in the absence of proper management.

The public facility was renovated at a cost of Rs 944.8 lakh.

One can see broken tiles, paan-stained corridors and drains choked with filth and wine bottles.

Even the automatic gate is broken. A building from where 1,200 buses ply daily is in a shambles.

“The building that would have been developed as a model bus station is an example of poor maintenance by people who don’t take pride in maintaining public property,” said Mohammed Azam, a daily passenger.

Initially, it was decided that only passengers would be allowed to enter the fully-airconditioned passenger shed. But rules have been ignored and today anyone can enter the place.

An official of Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, on condition of anonymity, said: “More than 1,221 bus services operate from this station with over 50,000 passengers travelling every day. If we consider that 100 gms waste is generated by an individual, then around 5 tonnes of waste is generated daily from the bus station. But the maintenance is difficult due to limited staff.”

He added that efforts are on to keep the premises clean, but no one can stop passengers from spewing paan masala at the bus station.

“Some of our staff are also is addicted to paan masala and they are bigger culprits than passengers,” added the official.

(From left) The Qaiserbagh bus station paints a sorry picture as passengers are greeted by filth and a defunct automatic gate on the premises.

Passengers face difficulty even while walking as the floor lies damaged with its tiles uprooted at various n spots.

ASHOK DUTTA/HT PHOTOS