Udupi: Commuters are complaining about the lack of proper bus shelters at many bus stops in Udupi city.

As the long-pending demand has fallen on deaf ears, commuters are forced to sit on footpaths or under trees and awnings of shops.

“We risk our lives by standing on these roads and waiting for buses. Accidents have taken place, as vehicles trailing the buses were caught unaware, not knowing where the bus will stop for the passengers,” charged daily commuters. 

In the absence of roofs over bus shelters, passengers get drenched in rain or are forced to take shelter in adjacent buildings. An arterial road, K M Road, in front of head post office, has no bus shelter. The main road connecting Poornaprajna College and fish market too has no bus shelter.

“Sometimes, shop owners get irritated when there are many people waiting for buses in front of their shops,” said a student, Sudeep. 

A bus stop in Ajjarakadu has no bus shelter despite its close proximity to Dr G Shankar Government Women’s College.

“It will be a boon to hundreds of students if a bus shelter is constructed,” students Annapoorna and Likha said.

The bus stop at Karavali Junction has a bus shelter. But, no buses stop there to help passengers alight the bus.

The passengers travelling to Kundapura, Santhekatte, Hoode, Kalyanapura and Nittur are forced to alight at the junction itself, risking their lives. 

The bus shelter at Adi Udupi Circle has been fully damaged.

Udupi CMC President Sumithra Nayak says there are plans to construct hi-tech bus shelters.  

Two bus shelters lacking maintenance, in front of a college in Manipal, have been providing shelter for destitutes.

A bus shelter near Manipal police station is in a dilapidated condition. There is a need for bus shelters in front of Board High School, Bannanje Narayana Guru Circle, Brahmagiri Junction, Kunjibettu Circle, Kalsanka Junction and Sharada Temple Circle Indrali Railway Junction, in front of KMC OPD in Manipal.