People hopeful of boost to bus stands in Khammam

Khammam: As newly inducted Transport Minister P Ajay Kumar is from Khammam district, people are hopeful for development of bus stands in the erstwhile Khammam district.

In the history of the district, this is the first time that State Transport portfolio has been handed to a Khammam MLA. The previous governments had allotted Major and Minor Irrigation, Power and Roads and Building portfolios to Khammam district.

In erstwhile Khammam district all bus stands were lying in complete neglect which irked people. No sanitation works were conducted in and around bus stands which showed government negligence, criticised passengers.

The passengers were facing problems due to lack of poor maintenance and sanitation works. Passengers alleged that the toilets near the bus stand were always stinking and in bad shape.

At the district headquarter bus stand, people were avoiding the toilets due to bad smell and poor maintenance and relieving themselves in the bushes. On another hand, people visiting Kothagudem main bus stand also complained about poor maintenance of toilets and bus stand.

While talking to The Hans India, Regional Manager of Khammam District, TS RTC S Krishna Murthy said in the erstwhile Khammam district there are around 29 bus stands out of which only eight bus stands are not functioning.

Nearly 608 services are functioning in around six bus stands in the district. He said clearly from the depots Khammam -171, Madhira -63, Sathupally -117, Bhadrachalam – 103, Kothagudem -81 and Manuguru -73 services are functioning to various cities.

He said Khammam bus stand is being developed with more moderate facilities with more funds. But due to contractor negligence Kothagudem bus stand works are moving very slowly, he added.

CPM party leader Bhukya Ramesh demanded that the government develop Kothagudem bus stand immediately. He asked Transport Minister P Ajay Kumar to give importance to the district and take up development of bus stands immediately. He alleged that the representations to officials regarding this issue has been falling in deaf ears as no works were taken up.