Shift bus stand in front of Attakulangara school to another location: panel

The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) managing director to take steps to shift the East Fort south bus stop (bus parking for Kovalam) in the State capital from its current location in front of the main gate of Government Central High School, Attakulangara, to another site.

The commission also directed the District Collector to ensure that the KSRTC MD implemented the commission’s directive.

The commission comprising member N. Sunanda was acting on a peition from the PTA (parent-teacher association) president of the school.

The petitioner had alleged that the Kovalam bus stop posed a hurdle to the smooth functioning of the school. The crowds at the bus stop disrupted students’ learning, while continuous bus parking made it difficult to drop off and pick students up from school. The bus stop had also become a hub for anti-social elements, the complaint said.

The commission heard the stakeholders. The school headmaster, in a report, said the crowds at the bus stop prevented students, teachers, and parents from reaching the school easily. Some people waiting at the bus stop used drugs, and students should not be exposed to such things. Even if the gates were closed, those waiting for buses or local people entered the school compound to drink water, urinated there, or relaxed on the school verandahs. Anti-social elements also entered the school premises by jumping over the compound wall.

The Transport Commissioner pointed out that many establishments functioned close to the bus stop and so shifting the stop could be challenging. A permanent solution could be found only on the basis of a government decision. The KSRTC MD contended that shifting the bus stop would lead to traffic snarls and accidents. The bus stand functioned there following a decision of government, city Corporation, traffic police, Revenue department, and traffic experts for facilitating smooth flow of traffic and the comfort of students. The demand to shift the bus stop that had been functioning there for long should be investigated, the official said.

The commission examined the reports and visited the school. It found that the bus stop was a hub for anti-social elements. This made it easy to peddle drugs there. Buses stopped and started from there at great speed, increasing the possibility of accidents to students. The bus stop was a threat to students’ safety and survival, it said, finding merit in the complaint.

The commission sought an action-taken report from the KSRTC MD and the District Collector within 60 days.