Chennai: Thousands of commuters have to wait in the open to board a bus at Tambaram (eaÂst and west) bus terÂmÂini as the local body has failed to realise the three-decade-old dreÂam of a permanent bus stand. Hundreds of MTC buses are paÂrÂkÂed on the roadside, creÂating chaos for boÂth passengers and moÂtÂorists, as they do not have a permanent bus stand.
Over 10,000 residents of Selaiyur, Tambaram (east), ChÂiÂtÂÂlapakkam, AgarÂaÂmÂtÂhÂÂen, Mudichur, PeÂeÂÂÂrÂkÂanÂkaranai, and its adÂjÂoining areas come to Tambaram (east and west) to board a bus to Chennai city and various other areas.
The Tambaram muÂnÂÂicipality had allocated a small space on GST road in TaÂmÂbaram (west) over a deÂcade ago for the MTC to park its buses, but as time passed, the local body failed to come up with a much larger space for a bus terminus.
A month ago, municipality officials baÂnÂned the entry of MTC buses to the deÂsÂigÂnated spot in frÂoÂnt of its shopping coÂmÂplex on GST road, and, instead, converted it into paid parking for private vehicles.
Selvaraj, a resident of Tambaram, alleged that the muÂnÂiÂcÂipality constructed a bus stand at TamÂbÂaÂrÂam sanatorium for a few vehicles, leaving moÂst buses to be parÂked on the roadside. “We have to run from end to end to board a bus as they stop the bus in the middle of the road with most siÂdÂÂewalks encroached by vendors.,” charged Suresh, another resident of PeerÂkÂaÂnkÂaÂranai.
A proper, bigger and permanent bus stand for Tambaram, known as the southern gateway to Chennai city, remains a dream. Municipal officials told DC that they have to accord priority to private vehicles and, hence, they re-asÂsigÂned the bus stand for paid private parking. “This has been the practice in other major towns and we are following that,” the officials said.
Next: MTC drivers begin to follow rules
MTC drivers begin to follow rules
Jackson Jose | DC
Chennai: Unruly, brazen and out-of-control are a few of the adjectives that a Chennaiite associates with MTC drivers given to jumping signals, being abusive of other motorists and even driving dangerously.
But records show a change in the scenario with a drop in violations by MTC buses and a sign of their toeing the line. According to traffic police records, there has been a 13 per cent fall in traffic violations by MTC buses between 2012 and 2013. The number of offences recorded were 8,580 last year and 9,862 in 2012.
Top traffic police officials say, “None of them is booked on the spot. We make out a challan with the bus number and forward it to the MTC managers who cut the fine amount from the driver’s salary.”
The police received a fine amount of almost Rs 8 lakh in the last one year from MTC. Top officials of the MTC say that the psychological and compulsory yoga training to drivers was the main reason for this change in behaviour.
MTC employees union president N. Raju says the fine deduction from the crew has also made drivers adhere to road traffic rules. Presently, there are 60 drivers being trained by MTC at Chromepet.
