The removal of the Hampankatta bus shelter, used by thousands of students, has sparked outrage among the local student community in Mangaluru. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which has been pushing for its restoration over the past month, has given the district administration and Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) a 10-day ultimatum to address the issue.
Shreyas Idyakda, the ABVP Mangaluru Taluk Coordinator, explained that the bus shelter, which provided crucial cover for students from various institutions including Milagres College, University College, and several government schools, was removed without warning. The MCC cited complaints from a nearby shopkeeper, who claimed the structure was hurting their business, as the reason for its removal. However, Shreyas and the ABVP find this justification unacceptable.
The student group held a protest on September 11, with Mangaluru Taluk Tahsildar, Prashant V Patil, visiting the site and assuring that the issue would be addressed. Despite this, the ABVP remains firm in its stance, warning that further protests will follow if no action is taken within the given timeframe.
“We demand that the shelter, which serves the student community, be rebuilt as it offers protection from rain and heat,” Shreyas emphasized.
Prashant Patil acknowledged that the bus stand was removed by the MCC, who deemed it “unscientific.”
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