Chennai: In what is being seen as a novel idea to seek protection from leaky roofs of Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses during rainy days, a sizeable number of MTC bus drivers have fixed umbrellas over their seats to prevent them from getting drenched in the rainwater that would usually be oozing through in most MTC buses.
Sources said that at a time when northeast monsoon is commencing, most crew of MTC buses and passengers might have to face immense inconvenience during rainy days, as rainwater is expected to seep through the floor of the buses and leak from the roofs.
“Despite my repeated complaints over dripping of rainwater from the roof, the officials turned a blind eye. Further, if there is heavy rain, the passengers taking window seats, empty the places, as such seats get easily wet,” said an MTC driver, seeking anonymity. So, he decided to fix an umbrella over his seat. “Because, we, the drivers, are worst sufferers during rainy days,” he lamented.
Taking a cue from him, a number of drivers followed suit not only in Chennai, but also across the state. “Having coming to know of drivers using umbrellas in buses, some officials are strictly monitoring MTC buses and a few drivers, who used umbrellas, have also been suspended,” a source said.
Passengers have also complained about poor conditions of the buses. “The officials should have taken measures to rectify such issue and all the buses should have undergone maintenance works before onset of northeast monsoon,” said T Srinivasan, a regular MTC commuter in Iyyappanthangal.
M Ramamurthy, vice-president of Nethaji Transport Workers Union, said, “The mats on the roofs of the buses should be of good quality. Further, sticky tape should be pasted along the roof to prevent rainwater seeping in.” The leaky roof is yet another example of how MTC is running buses in poor condition, he added. When Deccan Chronicle contacted a senior official, he said MTC is identifying such buses and would take up remedial work soon.
