THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The city is all set to get Kerala’s first woman-friendly high-tech bus shelter. To come up at Kazhakoottam, the construction of the shelter began two months ago and is expected to be opened by the second week of August. The corporation decided to build a women-friendly shelter after it received a number of complaints on the absence of proper public washrooms in the city.
The shelter will be equipped with facilities like LED display panel, drinking water and napkin-vending machine in addition to an incinerator to dispose of sanitary napkins. There will be a specially-marked feeding area for mothers with infants.
“It is India’s first high-tech bus stand built after considering the suggestions in social media. It has been set up as part of the Smart City project. After its inauguration, the corporation is planning to build more such shelters in other parts of the city,” said Mayor V K Prasanth. Commuters can listen to music while waiting for the bus as the shelter has FM radio facility. There are CCTV cameras installed, besides LED panels that would display the time. The new bus stand has been constructed after demolishing the old one adjacent to the Kazhakootam market. A separate shed is also being built for men.
The bus shelter will be renovated with floor tiles, seats and roofs. “The total budget of this project is around Rs 13 lakh. The shelter is constructed in an area of 350 square feet. The modern bus shelter also has mobile charging facility, digital news board and drinking water facility,” said Suresh Kumar TR of the City Corporation.
Facilities
Potable water
FM radio
Mobile charging port
Sanitary napkin vending machine and napkin incinerator
Washrooms
Space for feeding the infants
CCTV cameras