Shelterless bus stops

Hyderabad: After being exposed to scorching sun during summer, city commuters are now getting drenched in rain as most city bus stops are devoid of roof. The commuters, instead of waiting at bus stops for the buses to arrive to take them to their destinations, are forced to run helter-skelter to escape the fury of pouring rain.

Though the commuters appealed to the civic authorities to ensure that bus stops have roof over them, there was no response from the latter. The passengers are forced to take shelter under the trees and elevated corridors of the Metro Rail whenever the city is battered by rain. Srimayi, a regular commuter from Himayat Nagar to Chilkalguda X roads, said the bus stops at many places are devoid of roofs over them. Carrying umbrella has proved futile because it cannot withstand the fury of rain.

“The most important papers I was carrying from my office were damaged in the rain,” she complained. Whenever rain falls at the peak hours, commuters are forced to take shelter under the Metro Rail elevated corridors or flyovers and roadside shops. As they take shelter elsewhere, the city buses arrive and depart leaving the commuters in the lurch. Some of the commuters brave pouring rain at the bus stops instead of missing the bus.

Satti (42), a local tea vendor at Chilkalguda X roads said though the commuters have been waiting at this spot for long, it has not been designated as bus stop. The regular bus stop has been demolished to give way to Metro Rail project. “Though a number of buses and auto-rickshaws stop as the commuters wait at the place, traffic snarls are witnessed frequently,” he said. The commuters would take shelter under the flex banner he has put up in front of his tea stall helps commuters take shelter.”