A recently constructed bus shelter on the southern side of the Visakhapatnam RTC complex collapsed unexpectedly on Sunday, within five days since its inauguration.The modern bus shelters were part of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s smart city project to enhance urban infrastructure.
Thankfully, no individuals were present under the shelter during the incident, averting potential injuries.The GVMC had undertaken the construction of 20 modern bus bays across the city, costing around Rs.4 crore.
This initiative was inaugurated by City Mayor Golagani Hari Venkata Kumari.
However, doubts have arisen about the quality of the construction work, as passengers and city residents expressed their concerns.
The collapsed bus bay near VMRDA Central Park incurred an expenditure of about Rs.50 lakh.In response to these concerns, people have started protesting against the YSRCP government, highlighting the perceived poor quality of the corporation’s construction projects.
Public associations and city residents are expressing their frustration and anger against the current regime, considering that crores of public money was invested in constructing these shelters.
Opposition parties, including TDP, CPM, and Jana Sena, protested at the site and criticised the alleged poor structural practices on the part of the GVMC.
CPM GVMC corporator Dr B Ganga Rao demanded an enquiry with floor leaders from all the political parties.“About Rs 50 lakh is spent on this bus bay.The GVMC has taken up works on 20 modern bus stops with Rs 4.62 crore.Development of a bus stop hardly costs Rs 5 lakh.But the GVMC awarded the contract without even seeking the approval of the council.
Corruption and faulty design have only led to the collapse,” said Ganga Rao.
