Two years on new bus stand in Warangal remains a non-starter

Two years after the foundation stone was laid for a new RTC bus stand in Warangal, the project remains incomplete. Locals expressed concern over the stalled work, while BJP leaders blamed the Congress government for the delay in execution

Warangal: Even after two years since the foundation stone was laid for the construction of a new RTC bus stand in Warangal, there has been no progress in the works, much to the disappointment of the locals.

It may be recalled that the previous BRS regime had proposed to build a modern bus stand in place of the old one, which had become dilapidated. The foundation stone for the bus stand was laid by former MA&UD Minister KT Rama Rao in June 2023.

The Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA), which was entrusted with the execution of the works, was allotted Rs 74 crore for the project. A detailed project report (DPR) to meet the transport needs of the city for the next 27 years was prepared, and tenders were called.

The bus stand was designed to have 32 platforms and a five-storey building with shopping malls, hotels and other facilities spread over 2.32 acres. It was planned to construct a cellar for parking two-wheelers and cars and platforms on the ground floor within a year.

The contracting agency demolished the old building, began the works and excavated soil to lay the foundation. However, the works have remained at the foundation level, and the over 10-feet-deep pit dug up as part of the works has now turned into a large pool of water due to rainwater accumulation.

For the past two years, buses have been operating from a makeshift bus stand near the old one. The area around the construction site has been barricaded with restrictions on traffic flow, causing great inconvenience to the public, said a resident of Warangal, Velagandula Ajay.

Leaving such a large pool of water in the middle of the city could lead to accidents. The local MLA and Endowments Minister Konda Surekha should take the initiative to complete the construction of the bus stand at the earliest, he demanded.

BJP Warangal district president Ghanta Ravi alleged that the Congress government has failed to ensure the development of Warangal, with many projects still pending. “It is shameful that even after two years the bus stand construction is not completed. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar should visit the district to review and expedite the works,” he said.