For many years, commuters demanded the renovation of the East Mogappair. Refurbishment of the facility was taken up and the work is now almost complete. The new-look terminus is likely to be inaugurated in a month’s time.
Over 90 per cent of the work including construction of shelters, time keeper’s office, laying of access road inside the terminus, levelling of the floor and bus bays, have been completed. According to the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) officials, the renovated bus terminus would be ready for use by next month and will be opened thereafter.
Partly funded from the local MLA’s fund, the renovated terminus in J.J. Nagar would have a compound wall, better illumination, water taps, rest rooms, an administrative office for enquires, a separate room for the MTC staff and sign boards indicating buses with specific routes their time of arrival and departure.
The existing floor level of the terminus has also been raised to a height of around 1.5 feet to prevent flooding during the monsoon. At present, work on the installation of lights inside the terminus is being carried out. Sign boards are also being prepared according to bus routes and number of services. Steel gates too will be installed early next month at the entrance of the terminus.
“At present, the terminus has a poor toilet facility, used only by MTC staff. Along with the basic facilities, the renovated terminus should also have separate toilet facilities for men and women commuters,” says long-time resident, Venketaramani, who is also a local social activist.
In addition to the upgradation, residents want the MTC to operate new buses to places like Egmore, Thiruvanmiyur via College Road and Mandavalli and increase services to Tambaram, T. Nagar, Anna Salai, Tiruvottiyur and Red Hills.
“The renovated bus terminus would be a boon for commuters, who have been demanding that the facility be given a facelift, for many years now. New buses routes should be operated to places like Vivekanda House (Ice House) from west and east Mogappair route rather than the existing route from Elago Nagar as it would benefit more commuters,” says former councillor of ward 92, Sujatha Ayyanaar. Opened in 1990, the 1.5-acre terminus operates 21 buses daily with more than 5,000 commuters using the facility.
