Kottayam: In a move to address the long-standing sanitation and safety issues at the busy Nagampadam bus stand, the municipality has decided to revamp the facility, including ensuring the regular functioning of public toilets and curbing antisocial activities.

Municipal chairman MP Santhosh Kumar said the issues at Nagampadam were discussed at the first municipal council meeting held on Saturday, and that the required works would begin soon.

The bus stand has been in a poor condition for a long time, with wastewater from toilet tanks overflowing and spreading across the premises, causing severe inconvenience. Following repeated complaints from traders and passengers, municipal officials conducted an inspection and found that the toilet tanks were inadequate in capacity, leading to sewage overflow throughout the bus stand.

Earlier, the excess sewage used to be diverted through a drain along the side of the stand and beneath the railway tracks to the other side. However, this outlet was closed after land was acquired and the railway track-doubling work was completed.

After the construction of a railway wall as part of the track work, the contractor began transporting toilet waste in tanker lorries. Later, due to technical reasons, the contract was not renewed. Taking note of the situation, the municipality has now decided to take over the maintenance of the toilets.

The current council decision aims to clean and ensure the smooth functioning of the toilets at Nagampadam. The existing toilets will be cleaned and reopened, after which eight small toilets will be constructed on top of the existing comfort station. Municipal officials said the septic tank would be reconstructed and arrangements made to ensure the toilets remain functional even during the monsoon.

Steps will be initiated to address complaints about antisocial elements at the Nagampadam bus stand. The police aid post will be strengthened, additional surveillance cameras will be installed, and a plan will be drawn up in coordination with traders to maintain cleaner surroundings.