Residents of Vanuvampet and surrounding areas boarding MTC buses at Vanuvampet bus stop, Medavakkam Main Road, near Veerangal Odai, have requested the officials of the Greater Chennai Corporation to re-locate the bus stop. Due to the extension of Veerangal Odai, a channel built to drain rainwater into Pallikaranai marshland, the buses halt near the newly-extended bridge, a few yards from the designated bus stop.
As a result, commuters are forced to stand in the middle of the busy arterial stretch to board their route numbers. Moreover, a few commuters take shelter at the parking lot, abutting an eatery and a refreshment stall on the main road. Buses M14 (Saidapet - Medavakkam Koot Road), 14M (NGO Colony - Medavakkam Koot Road), 76 (Medavakkam Koot Road - Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus), 76B (Ottiyambakkam - Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus) and B51 (East Tambaram - T. Nagar) ply on the stretch. “The bus stop lacks a shelter and a stream of hot air blows from the eatery, forcing commuters to stand in the open and on the carriageway. It would be of immense benefit to commuters if the authorities take steps to shift the bus stop, near the channel, and also the one at the intersection of Medavakkam Main Road and N.S.K. Road, Vanuvampet,” A. Rajesh, a resident of Nanganallur, said.
Commuters suggest that the buses could stop opposite St. Jude’s Church as it is slightly far from the two intersections. At the intersection of Medavakkam Main Road and N. S.K. Road, buses 154B (Nanganallur – Poonamallee) and 72 (Nanganallur - Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus) halt. As a busy intersection is nearby, commuters find it difficult to board the buses while motorists from both the intersections speed.
“When the buses stop at the intersection, motorists from Nanganallur do not wait for the buses to move and swerve right, increasing the risk of collision with vehicles coming from Thillai Ganga Nagar and Madipakkam,” R. Vani, a resident of Nanganallur, said. Moreover, there are no shelters and display boards for route numbers that ply through the stretch. As there are no seating facility, commuters are forced to stand for a long time. A Zone 12 official of Greater Chennai Corporation has promised to look into the matter and do the needful.
