DRDA officials inspecting the land near the Tasmac outlet where the bus shelter would be built.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Residents of Ulli village near Gudiyatham town here have opposed the move to construct a bus shelter near a Tasmac outlet.

Asserting that the safety of commuters, especially women, would be compromised, the residents said they had been opposing the proposal ever since officials of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) inspected the land for the project several months ago.

“Most commuters return from work in the evening. Women will find it uncomfortable to board buses near a Tasmac outlet…,” K. Hema, a commuter, said.

At present, Ulli village comprises nine wards. On an average, each bus stop here is located around one kilometre from one other. The DRDA officials said that the proposed bus shelter would help people from Athorampatti and adjoining hamlets in the village to reach key towns such as Gudiyatham, Pernambut, Ambur, Madhanur, and Odugathur along the Jawadhu Hills.

Earlier, efforts were made to identify lands in the hamlet to build the shelter. As no available government land was available for the purpose, the DRDA officials said that land near the Tasmac outlet was chosen.

The new shelter would be constructed at a cost of ₹11 lakh under MPLAD fund of Vellore MP.

The villagers further said that they had submitted a petition to the DRDA and the Block Development Office to construct the shelter at Indira Nagar instead of the proposed location. This alternative location was suggested because it did not have any bus shelter, and as many as five adjoining hamlets would benefit from the move.

Despite recommending the alternative spot, officials have gone ahead with their initial plan and commenced preliminary works, including laying of foundation block, to build the shelter near the Tasmac outlet, residents rued.

“We have taken up the objections on the issue with the district administration. Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi has to take a decision,” said a DRDA official.