It was a sheltered walkway that linked NUS Business School to a bus stop near NUS Business School 2, Kent Ridge Hall and Sheares Hall. The project will, in theory, provide a covered walkway for all students living in both hostels or halls to the nearest bus stop, where the majority of the students are going to and vice versa. However, the sheltered walkway leaves a gap at the zebra crossing along Heng Mui Keng Terrace Road, prompting students en route to the hostels from the bus stop to pull out their umbrellas during a downpour, before crossing this two-lane-wide road to continue their way to the hostels under sheltered walkway again. An astonishing sight at the end of the upgrading project.

The project had certainly reduced the distance students had to suffer under the natural elements significantly, when it could have eliminated the problem. It is not unusual for people to raise their eyebrows and wonder why proceed with the project when the outcome is still the same? I pity the students living near the project site for having to put up with the construction noise during the past examinations period in November, but I believe that their tolerance is worthwhile if the basics of the upgrading project had been gotten right. Forget about the 'Sorry for the inconvenience caused' - I strongly urge NUS to relook the upgrading project again and provide the shelter for the zebra crossing. In a place with a high density of intellects working in and educating the talents of the future, such a letdown in the upgrading project is a mockery.

Lee Xuan Chang