Passengers returning to Coimbatore via the Singanallur bus terminus after the Diwali holidays were in for a tough time when they found the entire premises flooded with mud and slush. Even the mildest drizzle inundated the bus terminus making it inconvenient for all.

While passengers were forced to wade through the slush, transport officials pondered over the lack of concern from the civic body which, according to them, did not prepare the terminus for the seasonal rush, but instead, worsened the conditions.

According to a higher official of the transport department, as many as 144 buses ply from the terminus to various locations including Madurai, Tirunelveli, Rameshwaram, Devakotai, Sivagangai, Dharapuram, Tuticorin, Theni, Dindigul, and Kumuli, with additional services during heavy rushes. The terminus is also a major connecting point for many local buses. More than 8,000 commuters use the terminus everyday. “The numbers double during festive seasons,” he added.

The official informed that since the bus terminus was filled with potholes, the corporation workers had covered the pits temporarily with sand, ahead of Diwali. But, the levelling sand had turned into a bigger nuisance when it turned muddy with the rain over the last few days, leaving the terminus in a mess.

Then, there is the recurring problem with stagnating water. The official said that even a light rain stagnates water near the entrance. Despite repeated complaints to the corporation the conditions have not improved.

“A private company is properly maintaining the terminus, without the interference of the corporation. But the corporation should atleast maintain the drainage facilities, which are under its control,” he added.

Meanwhile, the sad condition of the bus terminus has shamed Covai this season. “We always thought that Coimbatore was a much developed city than ours. But this trip has opened our eyes. It is surprising that the civic body has not bothered to remove the water from the entrance, as the passengers are forced to walk to board the bus,” said K.Murugeshwari from Theni, who was visiting Coimbatore for the first time.

Another fellow passenger added that the civic body must have laid a new road and cleared drainage facilities well in advance of the festive seasons to help commuters. “The lack of preparation from the civic body is affecting only us and not the officials,” said J. Indrani, another passenger.

A private bus driver also said that the condition of the bus terminus is much worse when compared to the terminuses of the other southern cities, despite the fact that Coimbatore is the most developed city in the state, after Chennai.

The officials from the corporation were not available for comments when Covai Post tried reaching them.