The Budalur taluk bus stand lies in a dysfunctional state, encroached by fish vendors and devoid of regular bus services.
| Photo Credit: R. VENGADESH
The Budalur taluk bus stand has remained largely dysfunctional for over a decade, with minimal bus services and inadequate facilities. Despite being located near key infrastructure such as the Budalur railway station and the Thirukattupalli Government Arts College, the bus stand has failed to serve its intended purpose, prompting renewed demands from residents and activists for its revival and upgrade.
Residents complain that buses rarely enter the stand, which has been encroached by vendors — particularly fish sellers on Sundays — rendering it unusable for commuters. Activists point out that although Budalur has bus routes connecting three districts of Tiruchi, Pudukkottai, and Thanjavur, it does not have a functional taluk-level bus terminus.
Kannan N.V., district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, recalled that the Budalur bus stand was once a major hub for commuters prior to the construction of the overbridge. “During the bridge construction, buses were diverted. But even after its completion, buses continue to skip the stand,” he said.
“We have staged multiple protests demanding that buses enter the stand. Sometimes they do for a day or two, but it never lasts. Now, buses stop about half a kilometre away, at the Budalur Four Road Junction.” said, C. Basakar, Budalur taluk secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He said the bus stand had essentially turned into a marketplace, especially on weekends, making it difficult for commuters to use the space.
An official from the Rural Development Department said encroachments had been a persistent issue and that those responsible had been repeatedly warned. “If funds are sanctioned, we are ready to upgrade the existing bus stand,” the official said.
Published – April 13, 2025 06:42 pm IST
