Chennai, Aug 11:
The new Thamizh Thendral Thiru Vi Ka Bus Terminus in Tiruvallur was opened to the public on Monday, nearly five months after its formal inauguration, bringing to an end a decades-long wait for a modern bus facility in the district headquarters.
Built at a cost of Rs 35 crore on 5.5 acres along Uthukottai Road near Vengadanallur, the new terminus can accommodate 56 buses at a time. It has 101 shops, modern toilet facilities, parking space for 500 two-wheelers and 100 cars, besides expanded space for bus operations.
However, the shifting of services from the old terminus has caused confusion among passengers, with several commuters unaware of the relocation. The move has also led to traffic congestion on Jawaharlal Nehru Road.
Residents have welcomed the larger facility but have sought better connectivity between Theradi, the railway station and the new terminus. At present, only two bus services reportedly operate between the terminus and the railway station.
Residents have also sought drinking water facilities, better maintenance of toilets and additional bus services to nearby districts.
Tiruvallur District Collector T.S. Kavitha said free bus services between Theradi and the new terminus could not be introduced, but regular services could be considered in consultation with the Transport Department. She also assured that concerns over drinking water and other basic amenities would be conveyed to the municipality.
The relocation has also resulted in a marginal fare increase on some routes. On the Tiruvallur-Sriperumbudur route, the fare has increased from Rs 31 to Rs 33 following the addition of two stages.
The new terminus is expected to significantly improve bus operations in Tiruvallur, though residents have called for better last-mile connectivity and wider publicity about the shift.