Kengeri lets down peoples expectations

BANGALORE: Located at the periphery of the city, Kengeri not only brings along with a rich, vibrant history but is set against the backdrop of greenery.Being one of the those fast growing localities in the city, one can see it in the mind’s eye as a flower that is taking its own time but will bloom someday. The Kengeri Satellite Bus Stop was a step towards the same.While the lounges are kept spotless, a slight area of concern is the hygiene of the bays. However, the issue is more of civic sense than the authorities as an active maintenance staff tries its best to keep the area clean at all times.While it does not equalise Vijayanagar Bus Stand when it comes to the hygiene situation, the facilities are better than the ones at Shivajinagar etc people say.When it comes to the issue of Market Retail Price (MRP) where bus stations such as Shanthinagar have faced problems, this station seems to believe in not overcharging. All products are sold at MRP and is open most hours of the day.The major hassle with the station lies with the pay and use toilets of the bus stand. With the officials charging Rs 2 most people urinate outside due to the reluctance to pay up.Maria Fernandes, a resident of Kengeri, said, “I think it is a well maintained bus station forgetting the minor inconveniences it carries along with it. It is quite clean. The bus bays are wide and not congested.” She further added, “With everyone already visualising Kengeri as an out of town area lost in nowhere, the bus stand was something we needed to improve our infrastructure.”While another issue with the bus stand lies in the drain and garbage that has been disposed off at the road opposite to the bus stand. With unbearable stench and walking becoming an enormous difficulty, quick action from the authorities concerned is required to solve the problem.Bus connectivity is another problem, the travellers say.“Buses to Shivajinagar and Majestic are very less in frequency. Sometimes, we end up waiting for hours for a Shivajinagar bus. Also, the traffic situation at Nayandanahalli doesn’t help the cause. It makes it very hard for us,” said a bus traveller on the condition of anonymity.The positives of the bus stand lies in the fact that the bus station has been instated with dustbins and fire extinguishers at key locations. Added to which a clean map ensures that travellers do not get lost.BMTC officials remained unavailable for comments.