Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur

Puttur, Oct 17: Passengers waiting for buses here had a narrow escape on Saturday night when a compound wall of the BSNL office near the bus stand collapsed onto the adjoining passenger shelter. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The compound wall, measuring more than eight feet in height, was built to protect the premises housing the BSNL office and its telecommunications tower. However, heavy rain over the past two days weakened the foundation, causing the wall to collapse onto the nearby structure where passengers wait for buses.

The sudden crash startled commuters waiting at the shelter, prompting them to rush away from the spot and escape danger.

While one section of the compound wall collapsed completely, a substantial portion remains dangerously tilted, resting against the iron pillar of a large advertising hoarding installed nearby. The precarious position of the remaining wall has raised fears that it could collapse further at any moment, potentially damaging the entire bus shelter.

Adding to the safety concerns, a local businessman has drawn attention to the deteriorating condition of the passenger waiting facility. The bases of all the pillars along the front of the shelter, where commuters sit and rest while waiting for buses, have become completely hollow, leaving the structure in a potentially hazardous condition.

The collapse has raised serious concerns over commuter safety at the bus stand, with both the unstable compound wall and the weakened pillars posing potential risks to passengers. The condition of the shelter has highlighted the need for urgent attention to prevent further damage and avert a possible mishap.