PANADURA MAIN SLTB BUS STAND

Residents claim the relevant authorities remain totally unconcerned about its dilapidated condition

A part of the roof in the bus stand is on the verge of collapse and the iron railings in platforms are broken down. The bus stand built during the late 1940s by the South Western bus company operating buses on the Gallecolombo main highway had not been properly maintained even after the nationalization of bus services

Residents of the area accused the authorities of turning a deaf ear to their continual representations to effect repairs to the SLTB bus stand that has been in a dilapidated condition for more than ten years, much to the inconvenience of the public.

They pointed out that buses operating on several distant routes including Panaduracolombo, Panadura-kandy, Panadura-ratnapura, Panaduragalle and Panadura-horana, and on local routes of Bandaragama, Kalutara, Newdawa, Kiriberiya, Mahawila, Rukgaha and Hirana, starts from the SLTB bus stand. Among them are private buses on several routes. Passengers pointed out that the bus stand turned into a muddy pool even after a slight shower and they were exposed to rain due to roof leaks. They said they would get wet in case of a heavy down pour due to the broken down gutters.

“A part of the roof in the bus stand is on the verge of collapse and the iron railings in platforms are broken down. The bus stand built during the late 1940s by the South Western bus company operating buses on the Gallecolombo main highway had not been properly maintained even after the nationalization of bus services. Thousands of passengers who arrive to Panadura town or take buses, are facing hardship for want of basic facilities including water and toilets. The buildings in the main bus stand are in a dilapidated and unhygienic condition. Storm water drains around the bus stand have broken down and the road between the filling station and the bus stand goes under water due to the overflow of the storm drains. The concrete lids in the side drains are broken down obstructing the free flow of storm water during heavy rain. Passengers standing in the queues are exposed to storm water pouring down the edge of the roof for want of gutters,” they said.

The passengers also expressed concern about the poor bus services. They said buses on short distance routes keep on idling for more than 45 minutes until the bus is full to its capacity and quite often the buses start with more passengers than it could carry safely. One of their main grievances was the shortage of buses after 7p.m. They pointed out that the private bus operators would not operate buses after about 8p.m., leaving thousands of passengers particularly the workers returning home after work to the mercy of the SLTB that fails to operate a satisfactory bus service.

The passenger public requested the Panadura Urban Council and the SLTB to look into the urgent need of improvements to the main bus stand with adequate facilities.

The authorities also said they would shift the bus stop to a new location soon.