Sir,

I wish to share my experience on the state of bus shelters, after going through the article “Shelters miss the bus” (SOM dated Jan. 19) and the letter “Build clean shelters that will last long” (SOM dated Jan.29). There is a bus shelter near Geetha School, Siddarthanagar. The shelter does not have paved floor since it was built a few years back.

After futile attempts with MCC, I sought certain information from Public Information Officer (PIO) of MCC under RTI Act in Nov. 2018. They were mainly on tender documents, name of the contractor and name and designation of engineer who certified completion of work. The application was returned for the reason that there is no such designated officer.

So, I approached the office with the envelop and after several rounds of going around, it was accepted . Since I did not receive the information, I submitted my First Appeal on 16.1.2019 to Office of DC (Development) who is the designated FAA, personally. I explained to the lady who received me, how badly the shelter looks, with debris strewn all over, and without proper flooring; at a time when we are striving to regain the lost crown as clean city. After speaking to several sections, my appeal was accepted. I was assured by the section that the concerned engineer would visit the site within 24 hours, and it would be attended; though my application was to furnish information under RTI. However the situation remains the same.

It seems the Officers are not well-versed of RTI Act. They seem to consider my application as a complaint on some unfinished work. In the meantime, I await response of the DC (Development).

– K.S. Rao, Mysuru, 31.1.2019

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