The IOC (Indian Oil Corporation) bus terminus on Ennore High Road near Tondiarpet lacks basic amenities, including shelter and seats for commuters. Residents charge this has been the situation for nearly three decades now.
Recent rains have compounded commuters’ misery as they find it tough to find their way through the terminus. There are no seats available, just a boulder that doubles as a seat for three people. Residents of areas located in and around IOC including Nedunchezhian Nagar, Vinoba Nagar, Nethaji Nagar, Rajasekaran Nagar and Patel Nagar access the terminus. The buses starting from here are — 44C (to Broadway), 59A (to Vadapalani) and 159D (to Koyambedu).
“No steps have been taken to develop the terminus and construct a shelter,” Arumugam, an auto driver and resident of Vinoba Nagar said. “Hundreds of residents frequent the terminus but they have no cover from the scorching sun or rain.”
Many students who use their government passes for travel in MTC buses use the terminus too, said Maragatham, a resident. “School students experience plenty of inconvenience with no place to wait amidst the crowd at the terminus in the mornings,” she said. There have been instances of commuters slipping and falling down due to the slush, Suguna, another resident added.
Apart from poor facilities, residents also lamented the lack of adequate bus services. “There is poor connectivity to areas beyond Broadway. In fact, there is no bus connecting IOC to Kodungaiyur, which has a number of colleges. Students have to alight at Korukkupet and take a share auto to Kannadhasan Nagar to reach the colleges,” said Kavitha, a resident of Nedunchezhian Nagar.
A MTC crew member said each bus at the terminus makes at least 15 to 18 trips a day. “Lighting is poor and often, people are harassed by anti-social elements. A few months ago, an MTC staff member was murdered nearby and his severed body part was dumped at the terminus. There are no toilets for drivers and conductors. At least, they can bring about some improvements like black topping the road,” he said.
