Mini bus services that are being cut-off in several routes, especially in Moulivakkam and Iyyappanthangal in Chennai is a big woe for the residents here.
Talking about the issue at the Assembly session recently, Minister of Transport, M R Vijayabhaskar, said, “The three mini buses that are operating in the route number – S22 in Iyyappanthangal via Periyakoluthuvancherry, Moulivakkam, are utilised well by the people.” He also informed that more number of mini buses are being operated at different routes inside the sub-urban area.
In a counterattack, Alandur MLA, T M Anbarasan, said, “Most of the mini buses run via Mangadu route. Whereas, over 30,000 people reside in areas like Murugan Nagar, Dhanalakshmi Nagar, Madhuram Nagar, Abirami Nagar, Rajaganapathy Nagar, Sai Nagar, Balaji Nagar, Kumaran Nagar, Adhithanar Nagar, Kamakshi Nagar. These people have to travel 3 km to reach Iyyappanthangal. They have to either take autos or walk all the way. This is the reason why we are demanding more buses in this route – Periyakolathuvanchery and Moulivakkam.”
He further mentioned that half of the bus service routes – 188C, 88K, 54B, 52G, M70N, M21G – have been cut off by the department. Responding to this, Vijayabhaskar replied that the services were cut only based on the patronage and was taken purely to compensate the loss faced by the transportation department. In most of the highways, the roads are being re-laid and once these works get completed, the government will increase the service. “We will take this issue into account and will take necessary action,” he assured.
| ASSOCIATIONS GEAR UP |
| Mugalivakkam Residents United Welfare Association along with Thiruvalluvar Nagar Welfare Association and Mugalivakkam Village Association of Arumugam Nagar have joined hands to bring mini bus services at Mugalivakkm from Guindy, K K Nagar and T Nagar. They have submitted a memorandum on 29 January to the General Manager (Operations), MTC at Pallavan House, Anna Salai, for scheduling the services to the locality to make the commutation of the locals easy, as the autos running inside the locality charge exorbitant fees. The associations have also requested the authorities to fix a proper time schedule for buses arriving at Arasamaram stop in Mugalivakkam. The officials have assured that they will inspect the areas and do the needful, said an association member. |
| IN NEED OF MORE |
| Meanwhile, commuting by public transport is a Herculean task for residents of Porur. The neighbourhood does not have suburban train connection and metro network, and the locals have to depend on buses and other means. Another major complaint here is that many residential areas lack proper bus shelters. Raising the issue, residents of Gerungambakkam, Mugalivakkam and Moulivakkam have demanded the authorities to look into the matter. |