Gadwal: Activists from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a unique protest at the Aiza RTC bus stand on Thursday. They sheltered passengers from the rain with umbrellas to highlight the lack of basic amenities at this busy transport hub.
The event was led by Aiza Town BJP President Kampati Bhagat Reddy and several party leaders. Former BJP District President Ramachandra Reddy addressed the crowd, noting that although the bus stand generates substantial income, the passenger facilities remain inadequate.
According to the BJP:
- The bus stand includes 60 RTC shops, which bring in nearly ₹50 lakh annually.
- Over 150 buses depart daily from this location.
- Buses travel to distant places like Kakinada, Gangavati, Lingasugur, Urukunda, Adoni, Hyderabad, Hanumakonda, Gudivada, Vijayawada, Avanigadda, Bijapur, and Srisailam.
Despite its importance as an interstate hub, the bus stand suffers from poor infrastructure affecting students, patients, women, the elderly, and traders.
Activists pointed out critical issues:
- No shelters available to protect from sun or rain.
- Lack of CC roads leads to muddy and potholed surfaces, especially during rain.
- No drinking water, toilets, or waiting rooms are provided.
- Absence of CCTV cameras raises safety concerns.
- Cleanliness and sanitation are poor.
The BJP called for bus shelters near the old bus stand, Raichur Chowrasta, and Government College to improve commuter convenience.
The party warned that the bus stand’s revenue is not being used for development. They presented several demands to the government and RTC authorities:
- Build passenger shelters immediately.
- Develop CC roads within the bus stand.
- Provide drinking water, toilets, and restrooms.
- Use bus stand revenue for its development.
- Install CCTV cameras for enhanced safety.
- Ensure regular maintenance and cleanliness of the area.
BJP leaders stated they would escalate their protest if the government and RTC officials continue ignoring passenger needs.
Notable figures in the protest included OBC Morcha District General Secretary Venkatesh Yadav and Aiza Town Vice Presidents Lakshman Goud, Bellamkonda Nagaraju, Thumukunta Anji, Rajasekhar, Khushi, Raghu, Telugu Krishna, and U. Venkataramulu.
