Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 3: Under the Smart City project, bus bays and passenger shelters have been built by spending lacs of rupees in the city. These shelters have been turning into safe havens for nomads and the beggars again.

The number of nomads had become considerably less during the lockdown period but now they have made their appearance again at the bus shelters. For several, bus shelters have turned into their homes where they have their food and sleep. Because of their presence, the passengers do not get a place to sit. The new model bus shelters built under the smart city seem to have become the favourite choice of the nomads.

Footpaths and shelters on the clock tower-car street road, footpath of Nehru Maidan and bus shelters on the other side had become the abode of the nomads and beggars. Due to smart city works, the bus shelters were removed and reconstructed with footpaths. The nomads, who had left during that period, have returned. At the same time, the bus shelter near Lady Goschen Hospital, Ambedkar Circle, Padavu Junction, Mannagudda etc have become the permanent resting place for the nomads.

These people not only sit and sleep at the shelters but also eat food offered by people and throw the leftovers there. They also defecate and urinate in the area. As a result, people waiting for their buses have to wait by the roadside in spite of rain, hot sun etc.

Many of these nomads have come here from far off places by trains. They include mentally unstable people and those discarded by children. The women and child welfare department has made arrangements for the affected people to reside but once admitted, within a couple of days they return here. Officials say that these people are not accustomed to the systematic way of life. Mayor Premandanda Shetty said that an effort to send them back to the above shelters will be made again with the help of the police.