Mangalore : Bus stand at Pumpwell still a distant dream

TNN

Mangalore, Jun 23, 2014 : Mangalore City corporation’s proposal of constructing a multi-storied bus stand complex at Pumpwell is bogged down by red tape for more than six years. 

 

The city corporation had acquired 7.23 acres of land adjacent to National Highway at Pumpwell six years ago, but it could not go ahead with the proposal of constructing a bus stand yet. A bus stand at Pumpwell would ease the traffic congestion in the city, where about 550 service buses ply every day. As per the proposal, the present service bus stand at State Bank in the city will be shifted to Pumpwell and thereby reduce the number of buses plying to the city considerably. Currently, all service buses to various destinations ply from State Bank and this leads to traffic snarls at Karavali Circle, Bendoorwell, Balmatta, Jyothi Circle, Hampankatta and Hamilton Circle. 

 

The extent of acquired land acquired for new bus stand at Pumpwell is now reduced to 7 acres with a portion of land going for national highway development. However, no concrete action plan has been taken up by the government even after six years of land acquisition. 

 

 

At an official meeting in this regard, Mayor Mahabala Marla said that the work of bus stand should be commenced immediately as the problem of traffic snarls increasing in the city day by day. He directed officials to prepare new plan for a multi-storied bus stand and other amenities. Meanwhile, Mangalore city South MLA JR Lobo and deputy commissioner AB Ibrahim too have directed officials to prepare an action plan soon. 

 

"Consult officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) before preparing a sketch for a new bus stand at Pumpwell as it is located close to national highway. Police officials also should be involved to prepare the sketch so that traffic issues at the proposed site will be solved," said MLA Lobo. 

 

The DC said that a meeting will be convened to discuss about the matter after plan was prepared.