Youth build cool' bus stop, trans washroom from scrap

Chennai: Would you believe that a self-cooling bus stop could be built within a month at a cost of just Rs 3,000? That is exactly what a group of architecture students did at Chemmenchery arch near Sathyabhama University.

Using wood scrap from cargo ships and plastic bottles, 10 pioneers from Hindustan University completed constructing the Chemmenchery arch bus stop this weekend.

The commuters heaved a sigh of relief as they were previously forced to wait in the open irrespective of sweltering heat or heavy rains.

“It all started with a project given by National Association of Students of Architecture (Nasa) to transform a neglected site into a place for public gathering. We wanted to build a bus stop, but not like how everybody does,” said Rahul Premanand, one of the students.

Adding a tinge of innovation, they used plastic bottles to build a self-cooling mechanism. “It is an easy process. Plastic bottles cut in half are placed in such a way that the mouth faces inside and the shallow part, outside. This way, the breeze cools down once it comes outside the bottle due to compression. We have placed bottles in rows on the sides and behind,” said Nitin Jain, another student adding that the principle is actually adopted in close spaces.

Commuters also said they could feel the immediate difference when they enter the bus stop. “Though it is not closed on all the four sides like an air-conditioned cubicle, this shelter is very cool,” said P. Sathya, a commuter.

He further added the wood they had used is collected from cargo after they dispose of it for slight damages. But, this can withstand any weather and is comparatively very strong because it is soaked in salt water for a long time.
Moreover, the bus stop is mobile and can be constructed in one place and shifted to another with the help of a truck. This would reduce traffic congestion and diversions during the ongoing work. Also, the size of the bus stop compared to the rest is large as the students wanted to accommodate at least 10 to 15 people. They are now planning to approach the government to const-ruct more such self-cooling bus stops in the city.

Restroom for Transgenders

From dirty looks to snide comments to physical violence, trans people’s experiences are horrific when it comes to public washrooms. Spreading a message on the need for equal rights, the same group of students also constructed a mobile washroom for transgender recently at Chemmenchery arch at a cost of '1,500 with the same wood scrap from cargo. It would be open for
public, the coming week.

From electricity to shelter, the residents of Chemmenchery provided everything and it was constructed in a fortnight. The group plans on building similar washrooms near Indira Nagar MRTS and Royapuram that house transgender communities.