Commuters face hardships at bus terminus in Avadi

Commuters using the temporary bus terminus in Avadi are facing severe hardships due to poor civic amenities, as the construction of the new terminus by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is getting delayed.

The CMDA started constructing the new bus terminus on the CTH Road in Avadi in August last year. To facilitate the construction of the new bus terminus, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), in coordination with the Avadi Corporation, had shifted bus operations to a private property near the Avadi railway station.

S. Murugaian, a resident of Avadi, said the commuters, particularly senior citizens, face difficulties in the present temporary bus terminus, as it does not have any proper paved platform and the terminus gets flooded even after a light rain.

The CMDA is constructing a three-storeyed modern bus terminus at a cost of ₹36.06 crore and has completed 60% of the work.

The new bus terminus has a built-up area of 65,000 sq. ft. and would have a food plaza, shopping area, public conveniences, water purification plant, and restrooms for the bus crew.

The ground floor meant for bus bays would have space for parking 22 buses at the same time. The bus terminus would have a huge waiting area measuring nearly 5,000 sq. ft., along with timekeeper and other administrative offices.

With its close proximity to the Avadi railway station, the Avadi bus terminus has become a transport hub, with commuters bound for Poonamallee, Tiruvallur and Arakkonam, using the terminus.

Commuters using the bus terminus have been asking for parking facilities and the CMDA has made arrangements for parking 500 vehicles, including cars, in the new bus terminus.

Commuters are also concerned about how long the MTC would be using the temporary place.

Contract renewal

A senior official of the MTC said the private land had been rented till October this year and they are planning to renew the contract for another six months.

T. Sadagopan, a resident of Pattabhiram, wanted the CMDA to complete the construction of bus terminus-cum-depot as early as possible so that the Avadi bus terminus would gain more prominence, similar to the Poonamallee bus terminus, for operating more services to larger destinations of the city.