Bus conductor keeps water to quench passengers’ thirst

It is only after ensuring that they have quenched their thirst that he blows the whistle to signal the driver to start the journey.

The man from Thirubhuvasam in Sivaganga, who has about 12 years of service in the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, began supplying drinking water to the passengers on his bus about eight years ago. The initiative was triggered by the death of one of his relatives who died of cardiac arrest due to dehydration during a trip in peak summer. “Since then, I ensure that the passengers in my bus gets drinking water,” said Thirugnanam narrating his story.

Regular passengers on the Madurai-Thanjavur route to which he has been assigned know Thirugnanam very well due to this. The effort by an individual also stands in stark contrast with the situation at scores of bus stands, especially the ones in the interior parts of the State, that do not have drinking water facilities.

“It is a long journey from Madurai to Thanjavur, and at least 700 passengers travel on this bus every day. Though drinking water is essential, particularly in the summer season, it is not necessary that every one of them carry water. So I keep around 25 bottles which I fill with water at Madurai bus stand. It is distributed to the passengers as soon as I complete ticketing while in Madurai bus stand as well as at the bus stands en route at Thirumayam and Pudukkottai,” Thirugnanam said.

According to him, it takes only a few minutes to complete the work, like just another round of ticket distribution. “But the satisfaction that I get from it is boundless. The passengers also become relaxed and give us a friendly smile,” said Thirugnanam. The pleasant surprise for the passengers is perhaps not surprising, as many are used to bitter experiences from bus crew, who only have scornful words to offer.

Even during the journey, Thirugnanam said he would always ensure that the empty bottles were filled as soon as he finds drinking water along the way. “I distribute at least 60 litres of water during each service,” he said.