Valparai residents face hardships due to leaky buses during heavy rains. Transport Minister Sivasankar's promise of new buses remains unfulfilled, causing public outcry and safety concerns.
Coimbatore: Residents of Valparai, a hilly region in Coimbatore district, are facing severe hardships due to the poor condition of government buses plying in the area. A video showing passengers using umbrellas inside a leaky bus during heavy rainfall has gone viral on social media, highlighting the plight of commuters.
Valparai, home to 60 government and private estates, relies heavily on public transportation for its residents' daily commute. The bus service connects various estate areas to Valparai town and extends to other districts like Pollachi, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Palani, Salem, and Mannargudi.
The region, currently experiencing heavy rainfall, has exposed the deplorable condition of the buses. In a particular incident, a state-run bus traveling from Valparai to Ryan Division Estate was found to have a cracked roof, allowing rainwater to seep inside. Passengers, including school children, were forced to open their umbrellas inside the moving bus to protect themselves from the leaking water.
This situation has sparked outrage among the public, especially in light of unfulfilled promises made by Transport Minister Sivasankar. During his visit to Valparai a few months ago, the Minister had inaugurated free bus services for women and assured the introduction of new buses for the hilly terrain. However, these promises have not materialized, leaving the residents to continue their journeys in old, dilapidated buses.
The public expresses deep disappointment over the government's failure to implement the new bus scheme, which they say has "vanished into thin air." Concerns are mounting about the safety of passengers, as these old buses navigate the rain-soaked, treacherous mountain roads, increasing the risk of accidents.
Residents of Valparai are now demanding immediate action from the government to replace the old buses with new ones, as promised by the Minister. They emphasize the urgent need for safe and comfortable public transportation, especially given the challenging weather conditions and terrain of the region.
As the video continues to circulate on social media platforms, it has drawn attention to the broader issues of infrastructure and public service delivery in remote, hilly areas like Valparai. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the gap between political promises and ground realities, leaving the residents of Valparai hoping for swift action to address their transportation woes.
Valparai, home to 60 government and private estates, relies heavily on public transportation for its residents' daily commute. The bus service connects various estate areas to Valparai town and extends to other districts like Pollachi, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Palani, Salem, and Mannargudi.
The region, currently experiencing heavy rainfall, has exposed the deplorable condition of the buses. In a particular incident, a state-run bus traveling from Valparai to Ryan Division Estate was found to have a cracked roof, allowing rainwater to seep inside. Passengers, including school children, were forced to open their umbrellas inside the moving bus to protect themselves from the leaking water.
This situation has sparked outrage among the public, especially in light of unfulfilled promises made by Transport Minister Sivasankar. During his visit to Valparai a few months ago, the Minister had inaugurated free bus services for women and assured the introduction of new buses for the hilly terrain. However, these promises have not materialized, leaving the residents to continue their journeys in old, dilapidated buses.
The public expresses deep disappointment over the government's failure to implement the new bus scheme, which they say has "vanished into thin air." Concerns are mounting about the safety of passengers, as these old buses navigate the rain-soaked, treacherous mountain roads, increasing the risk of accidents.
Residents of Valparai are now demanding immediate action from the government to replace the old buses with new ones, as promised by the Minister. They emphasize the urgent need for safe and comfortable public transportation, especially given the challenging weather conditions and terrain of the region.
As the video continues to circulate on social media platforms, it has drawn attention to the broader issues of infrastructure and public service delivery in remote, hilly areas like Valparai. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the gap between political promises and ground realities, leaving the residents of Valparai hoping for swift action to address their transportation woes.