Chennai: To lessen the pressure of traffic during Deepavali festival in the city, the transport department has prepared a new chart of routes.
According to officials, Perungalathur and Tambaram would usually be overcrowded during festivals and both government and omni buses would pile up.The stretch between Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) to Perungalathur would be choked with vehicles, all moving at snail’s pace.
“We have received a flurry of complaints regarding this, and we planned to ease traffic this time. Accordingly, all south-bound fully-loaded buses, after picking up passengers, would not pass through Tambaram and Perungalathur, instead would take the Maduravoyal by-pass road and Vandalur Outer Ring Road (ORR) and finally reach Vandalur on October 3, 4 and 5,” said an official. However, those buses that are half filled with passengers, would go to Tambaram and Perungalathur, picking up passengers on the way.
The official also said that passengers who have already booked tickets online to board buses from Tambaram and Perungalathur, should go to the temporary bus stop - Urapakkam (CMDA premises - Kilambakkam) to reach their destination, on these three days.
Another chart issued by the transport department said that Andhra Pradesh buses would leave from Madhavaram Mofusssil Bus Terminus (MMBT), which was recently opened.
“Likewise, buses passing through East Coast Road (ECR) will leave K.K Nagar bus terminus, while buses which go through Tindivanam and Vikkiravandi, will leave from Tambaram Sanatorium Arignar Anna Bus Stand (MEPZ),” the release said.
Even buses approaching northern districts like Vellore and Kanchipuram will leave from Poonamallee bus stand, the release said, adding that more number of buses bound for Tiruchy, Coimbatore, Pudukkottai, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram and Kanyakumari, will leave from Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R Bus terminus in Koyambedu.
Motorists and activists have welcomed the move. “Officials have at least now prepared a new chart to reduce traffic within the city limits during Deepavali. Because, you cannot ride a bike on the stretch between Koyambedu and Perungalathur during the festival days. Such alternative routes will serve the purpose, as it will reduce the traffic.
