CHENNAI: Taxis take the space of buses in terminus

Pic Courtesy: P Jawahar

By G Saravanan

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai, on February 15, 2011:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/taxis-take-the-space-of-buses-in-terminus/248142.html

CHENNAI: The Officers’ Colony bus terminus at Elango Nagar in Ambattur municipal limits, developed with the MP Local Area Development Fund provided by the then DMK MP Kuppusamy, is in appalling condition as no upgrading work was carried out ever since it was inaugurated 11 years ago.

Elango Nagar residents said things have come to a pause in recent days that the terminus has virtually been taken over by taxis and tourist vehicles, obstructing bus movement.

Speaking to Express, S Venkatesan, secretary of Elango Nagar Makkal Nala Mantram, said, “Though the locals have sent several representations to the authorities concerned, including the MLA P Ranganathan and the Ambattur Municipality to upgrade the terminus for several years, nothing has fructified yet.”

“If the terminus was upgraded with the construction of compound with shelters, it would help parking of buses that are otherwise parked at the Anna Nagar West and the Ambattur Industrial Estate depots due to lack of space here,” Venkatesan said.

V Rajagopal, president of Anna Nagar Western Extn (Phase II) Residents Welfare Association, said, “As the parked cars eat into the space, most of the MTC drivers turn their buses outside the terminus.”

Residents complained that Ambattur Municipality, which has to maintain the terminus, has neglected it.

No one from Ambattur Municipality was available for comment.