Due to unauthorised parking of goods-carrying vehicles and autorickshaws along First Street in MMDA Colony in Arumbakkam, the smooth entry and exit of Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses at the terminus in MMDA Colony are affected. Though the terminus has two entrances; only one of them is used for both entry and exit of buses.
“The other entrance was closed many months ago after senior MTC officials carried out a surprise inspection. During the exercise, it was found that a portion of the terminus was being misused by – it was being let out for parking of private vehicles. Now, when it comes to the goods-carrying vehicles, they are registered with the local labour unions. So, any request to have park these vehicles away from the terminus is met with resistance by the unions. Many a time, these vehicles can be even found parked at the entrance of the terminus. The MTC drivers have to horn repeatedly to allow buses to pass through,”says an MTC official
Besides MTC bus operators staff finding it difficult to take a turn at the terminus, other motorists also find this stretch difficult to navigate due to this problem.
Residents suggest that the Arumbakkam police set up a police booth at the entrance of the terminus to prevent chaotic traffic.
They also say these vehicles could be found parked in front of their houses along the stretch. Repeated complaints have been made to the Corporation officials and Arumbakkam police to put an end to unauthorised parking in the neighbourhood. However, no action has been taken so far, say residents.
“Removal of such an encroachment calls for a joint effort by the Corporation and the police. However, a nod from senior officials in both the departments remains a challenge to remove the encroachments,” says a Corporation official.
