Three air-conditioned comfy bus shelters launched three years ago in the city to facilitate a pleasant and futuristic halting time for passengers have become a classic example of an initiative that missed its objectives miserably. Established at an estimated cost of Rs 25 to 30 lakh each at three spots in the city through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds of a private bank, the air-conditioned bus shelters are now used by street vendors to stock their inventories, and homeless people to spend nights.The maintenance of the three bus shelters at Melapudur, Gandhi Market, and Srirangam localities set up by the bank in early 2015 was handed over to the civic body. But, the AC bus shelters lived only for a short time as lack of cooperation from public and poor maintenance led to the collapse of the purpose of the facility. The air-conditioners were either damaged or stolen, and the transparent bus shelters turned hot ovens during summer. "They could have utilized the fund in a better way that would be beneficial for the public for a longer time," K Chandrasekar, a resident of E Pudur said.Since all the AC bus shelters are at prime locations such as Amma Mandapam of Srirangam, and Melapudur, locals said that they can be removed to utilise the space for constructive purposes. "Seating facility was not provided in the bus shelters due to which people had to stand outside," S R Kishorekumar, a lawyer, said. Terming poor cooperation from the public as the reason for the failure of the air-conditioned bus shelters, Trichy Corporation said that a majority of the total 181 bus shelters in Trichy will be upgraded under the Smart City mission. "Already several bus shelters were provided with better lighting and seats as there is good revenue from advertisement rights. The civic body will find a proper solution to the sorry state of air-conditioned bus shelters in the city," a senior official with civic body said.

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