Passengers urge Salem Corporation to restore non-functional lifts and escalator at Old Bus Stand

The public have urged the Salem Corporation to ensure that the lifts and an escalator at Salem Old Bus Stand are operational.

The Salem Old Bus Stand was demolished and a two-tier bus stand was constructed at ₹96.53 crore under the Smart Cities project and the facility was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in June 2023. It was named Muthamizh Aringnar Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Nootrandu Managara Perunthu Nilaiyam. Buses heading to Elampillai, Perumagoundampatti, Jalakandapuram, Salem Junction, Tharamangalam, Nangavalli, Vanavasi, Vellalapatti, Omalur, Thinnapatti, Muthunaickenpatti, and Tholasampatti are operated from the first floor of the bus stand, and while buses to other areas are operated from the ground floor.

Four lifts and an escalator were installed at a cost of ₹2.50 crore for the passengers to access the first floor of the bus stand. The passengers can also reach the first floor by climbing 50 steps through the stairs. For the past 10 days, the lifts and the escalator have not been not functional. Aged and differently abled people have been struggling to reach the first floor.

P.Palanisamy (76), a resident of Nethimedu, said the lifts were not operated properly from June 2023. The workers always claimed there was either a repair or service issue or that there was no power supply. And, for the past 10 days, the operation of lifts and the escalator was completely stopped at the bus stand. Since the elderly are unable to use the steps, the Corporation should take steps to operate the lifts and the escalator, he said.

Officials attached to the Ammapet zone in Salem Corporation said operation of the lifts and the escalator was outsourced previously. Due to issues in funds, the Corporation stopped outsourcing and decided to use domestic breeding checkers for operation of lifts and the escalator. The lifts and escalator will be restored after obtaining consent from the higher officials for the manpower, the officials added.