Chennai: “Out of the 3,700 buses Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) operates in Chennai, more than 700 are in very bad shape. Not only that, post the hike in diesel prices, at least 10 per cent of buses have become non-operational leading to commuters waiting in bus stops, especially in Nanganallur, longer,” said Traffic and Transportation Forum co-director V Rama Rao.
He said this during the forum’s mega seminar for improving MTC services, at Thillaiganga Nagar Welfare Association premises in the city suburb recently.
Federation of Adambakkam Welfare Associations president Augustine David and Thillaiganga Nagar Welfare Association president K Sankaranaraynan expressed their dismay over lack of bus services via Thillaiganga Nagar subway and the withdrawal of a few buses in the past.
“Buses from Nanganallur to Guindy should be re-routed through Adambakkam area so that they may not run empty. Secondly, we need buses from Alandur Metro station to Velacheri Railway Station. Thirdly, all buses should be re-routed covering Nanganallur, Thillaiganga Nagar, and Adambakkam,” said Augustine.
Traffic activist Raghavan, Nanganallur, Senior Citizen Forum president M K S Ganesan and Peoples Awareness Association president K Balachandran participated.
Raghavan said, “Small bus services from Alandur Metro station to Moovarasampet, S11, got scrapped a few weeks ago despite good patronage. In the same way, small bus S85 from Alandur Metro to Velacheri via Nanganallur Metro station, Thillaiganga Nagar, Anjaneya Temple, Vanuvampet, and Velacheri does not follow timings. One bus comes once in a while or there are no buses at all. The S18 small bus from Velacheri to Nanganallur bus stand covers only a small area of Nanganallur. It should be extended up to Alandur Metro station either via Thillaiganga Nagar subway or Pazhavanthangal subway.”
“In recent times, two buses on route No. M21G (Nanganallur to Broadway), 18C (Nanganallur to Central) stopped plying. Also, around 13 buses plying on route No. B51 (T Nagar to Tambaram East via Thillaiganga Nagar subway) was also stopped despite good patronage. Feeder services were introduced recently from Alandur Metro station to DLF. But despite Alandur and Nanganallur Metro stations being located very close to Nanganallur, Adambakkam, Ullagaram, Puzhudhivakkam and Velacheri, there are no feeder services to these areas. Its high time CMRL introduces such services here,” he added.
One of the speakers and a retired Anna University Traffic Engineering Professor, K P Subramanian, said, “To improve the efficiency and performance of MTC, it should be made an autonomous body with accountability. Also, if competition prevails, services can be made more liable to meet demands of public. Monopoly, whether it is State or private, always stood in the ways of development. Some specific areas can be allotted for private buses on experimental basis. While the government is ready to spend Rs 300 crore per km for CMRL, its evasive over several years to spend Rs 20 crore per km for BRRT similar to the dedicated bus route in Ahmedabad.”
Retired MTC MD and Central Committee for Motor Vehicles member, R Balasubramanian, said, “In India, transportation comes under State jurisdiction even though Transport Corporation Act 1950 directs the Centre to associate with management of State transport sector to provide capital for purchase of buses. These provisions of the Act remain only on paper and the Centre never had an active role in the State transport sector which should change.”
Thillaiganga Nagar Welfare Association secretary Balasubramanian proposed the vote of thanks. For details, contact Rama Rao at 9444296085.