Inaugurated but yet to be opened to public, ISBT reduced to public toilet No care-taker authority for ISBT?
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 11, 2013: The Khuman Lampak Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) built with NEC funding for the benefit of not only Manipur but also people of other North Eastern States has been virtually left to its own fate as if there is no authority to look after it.

NEC provided around Rs 26 crore to the State Transport Department and the amount was deposited with PWD.

Then PWD selected M/S Avantika Pvt Ltd as work agency for construction of the ISBT.

At first M/S Avantika Pvt Ltd was making good progress.

ISBT was one of the many projects inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi along with the new Assembly complex, City Convention Centre and MFDC auditorium on December 3, 2011 just ahead of the 2012 State Assembly election.

By the time the ISBT was inaugurated, though major portions of the civil work had been completed, many components of the complex such as roads, sub-way, drainage, electrifica- tion, entrance and exit gates were far from complete.

Nonetheless, the State Government was thinking about completing all the incomplete portions after inauguration.

Human excreta litter the tiled floor near the toilets at ISBT

However, in spite of the Government's intention to complete the incomplete portions, the three month long bandh called by the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee since August 1, 2011 brought about acute shortage of petrol and diesel in the State.

Starting from the period, loaded oil tankers brought by CRPF convoys were made to park at the ISBT complex.

Even today, loaded oil tankers have been using the complex as their parking lot.

In spite of the inconveniences caused by presence of a large number of oil tankers, M/S Avantika Pvt Ltd was steadily working on the incomplete portions/components.

Talking with The Sangai Express, an official of M/S Avantika Pvt Ltd said that all the specifications given in the work order have been executed completely.

What remain incomplete is handing over and taking over.

With the State Government not taking over the complex even after the complex has been fully completed, the company has been engaging one/two person(s) to look after the complex.

But they (care-takers) cannot say anything to drivers and helpers.

As such, the company used to hire workers to clean up the complex if some VIPs come to inspect the complex.

A casual visit by this reporter to the complex revealed that the complex was in complete shambles as if there is no authority to look after it.

The road leading to the complex from its entrance gate was anything but road though its construction has been completed to the stage of laying WBM.

The bus bays which are yet to be black-topped are overgrown with grasses and shrubs.

The toilet complex was strewn with human excreta all over.

With all passage leading to latrines blocked by mounds of human excreta, the filth has spread to the feet of the staircase leading to the over-bridge.

Drivers, helpers or whoever they are, people have started shitting and urinating at the place on the southern side of the complex designated to passengers' waiting shed.

So far, no one has been raising any objection.

Literally, the whole complex is filled with a nauseating smell emanating from the mounds of human excreta spread all over.

Nude or obscene pictures were seen drawn with charcoal and pencils on neatly painted walls as well as doorframe.

Drivers and helpers have been cooking theirs meals at their convenience.

Again, waste materials and leftovers of their daily meals are being disposed at any place of their choice.

With the stench becoming more and more harsh, some driver and helpers have started cooking foods outside ISBT complex.

In case, NEC officials see the present condition of the Khuman Lampak ISBT, it is simply unimaginable that they would provide funds for any other projects.

Even if drivers and helpers of oil tankers must be accommodated inside ISBT complex because of the prevailing law and order situation, nothing can vindicate what is happening inside the complex right now, said a resident of the nearby locality.