Udupi: Passengers and social organisations have expressed strong outrage over the poor maintenance and unhygienic conditions prevailing at the Service Bus Stand in the temple town. Broken seating arrangements, foul-smelling public toilets and accumulation of garbage have drawn sharp criticism from daily commuters and activists alike.
The bus stand, owned and maintained by the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC), is a major transport hub at the district headquarters. Hundreds of private buses, operating both intra-district and inter-district routes, use the facility every day, making it one of the busiest public spaces in the city.
Temple town draws thousands daily
Udupi is widely known as a prominent religious centre and an emerging destination for educational and healthcare tourism. Thousands of pilgrims, students, patients and other travellers pass through the Service Bus Stand each day. Despite this heavy footfall, basic amenities at the facility remain in a deplorable state, according to commuters.
Following mounting public anger, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Praveen Shetty faction) recently submitted a petition to the civic body demanding immediate corrective action.
District President Sujay Poojary alleged that while the municipal council manages the bus stand and collects revenue from it, the upkeep has been severely neglected. “Thousands of people travel through this bus stand daily, but the facilities are awful. For a temple town that attracts visitors from across Karnataka and the country, this is unacceptable,” he said.
Broken benches and lack of drinking water
Commuters have highlighted several deficiencies at the bus stand. Many of the benches meant for passengers are reportedly broken or damaged, forcing people — including elderly travellers and women with children — to stand for long durations while waiting for buses.
Passengers also complained about the absence of purified drinking water facilities. With no reliable source of clean water available at the bus stand, travellers are compelled to purchase bottled water at their own expense.
Venkatesh Kamath, a resident of the city, said the condition of the toilets is particularly alarming. “Though separate toilet blocks were constructed for men and women, the buildings and surrounding areas are stinking due to lack of proper maintenance. The foul smell spreads across the bus stand, making it unbearable for passengers,” he said.
Photographs shared by commuters show garbage piled up at various corners of the premises, indicating lapses in regular waste collection. According to residents, the unhygienic environment not only causes inconvenience but also poses health risks.
Revenue collection questioned
Activists have also questioned how such neglect persists despite the revenue generated from the bus stand. The CMC collects entry fees from buses using the facility and earns rental income from shops located within the bus stand complex.
As per information shared by the Canara Bus Owners’ Association Vice-President Sadananda Chatra, approximately 300 private buses operate out of the Service Bus Stand every day. The civic body reportedly collects ₹10 per bus per day as a service charge.
Critics argue that the revenue generated from these sources should be sufficient to ensure proper cleaning, maintenance and basic amenities for passengers.
Civic body promises overhaul
Responding to the criticism, CMC Commissioner Mahantesh Hangaragi said the civic body has decided to undertake improvements at the bus stand. He stated that estimates are being prepared to overhaul passenger seating arrangements and repair or replace damaged benches.
The commissioner also said that the municipal council plans to improve the public toilet blocks and assign maintenance to a new contractor to ensure better cleanliness standards. While maintaining that waste collection is carried out regularly, he acknowledged the need for enhanced monitoring and supervision.
Officials indicated that steps would be taken to restore order and improve facilities in a phased manner.
Need for sustained upkeep
The issue has once again brought into focus the importance of maintaining public infrastructure in high-footfall areas. As a key gateway to the temple town, the Service Bus Stand plays a crucial role in shaping visitors’ first impressions.
Passengers and social organisations have urged the civic body to act swiftly and ensure sustained upkeep rather than temporary fixes. They emphasised that maintaining cleanliness, functional toilets and adequate seating is not merely a matter of convenience but of public health and dignity.
With assurances now coming from the municipal council, commuters hope that concrete improvements will be visible soon, restoring the bus stand to a standard befitting a major religious and tourism centre.