The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has launched an extensive cleaning initiative, deploying over 2,500 workers to spruce up more than 1,200 bus shelters across the city. The drive, which involved 2,541 workers, aimed to address cleanliness issues and improve the conditions of public transport infrastructure.The GCC’s cleaning campaign focused on 1,265 bus shelters, with workers thoroughly cleaning the areas around these shelters, washing railings with soap, and removing posters and other debris. The effort resulted in the removal of 95.7 tonnes of garbage and debris and the elimination of 4,221 posters. Notable areas where the cleaning took place include localities such as ECR, OMR, Grand North Trunk Road in Madhavaram, 200 Feet Road in Manali, Paper Mills Road in Perambur, Kolathur-based Jambulingam Main Road, and Vadapalani-based P.T. Rajan Salai.
Additionally, the GCC identified 78 bus shelters with significant damage, including issues with roofs, seating, and railings.
GCC Commissioner Mr. J. Kumaragurubaran highlighted that the initiative was a response to numerous complaints about bus shelters being marred by electric cables, garbage, and pits. The cleaning drive was conducted from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with three workers assigned to each bus shelter to ensure thorough maintenance.
However, the GCC faces a significant challenge related to the maintenance of bus shelters. Out of a total of 1,500 bus shelters in Chennai, maintenance contracts for 700 shelters are currently entangled in arbitration with contractors. These contractors, who took on the maintenance responsibility in 2015, filed a court case when the GCC attempted to tender the remaining 750 shelters. The court’s stay order has prevented the GCC from opening new bids, leading to an estimated annual revenue loss of Rs 46 crores for the civic body.
The GCC Commissioner stated that evidence of the poor maintenance of bus shelters will be presented in the next court hearing. The corporation plans to issue fresh tenders for the maintenance of the bus shelters once the court rules in their favor, aiming to resolve the ongoing issues and restore the bus shelters to a satisfactory condition.
This recent cleaning drive is part of a broader effort by the GCC to enhance public infrastructure and address long-standing maintenance issues, reflecting a commitment to improving urban amenities and public satisfaction in Chennai.