The vast bus terminus located in the financial hub of Broadway serves as a point of link for several commuters headed to various parts of the city. However, despite being the hub for Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses, the terminus remains neglected on the civic infrastructure front. Commuters using the bus terminus located on NSC Bose Road say it has various shortcomings, particularly hygiene.
The main grouse of the commuters is the way the bus terminus is being maintained, making the facility look more like a hawkers paradise than a bus terminus. Hawkers and shop owners have completely taken over much of the space, making it difficult for commuters to walk freely in the crowded area.
S. Thirumalai, a resident of Mogappair, rued the poor maintenance of the terminus.
He said the terminus is frequented by thousands of people everyday but is unhygienic and there is no control over the hawkers who obstruct the free movement. Adding to the problems, the shops located inside the bus terminus have encroached into the pedestrian pathway by installing their boards and placing utensils. The bus terminus also suffers from a proper public convenience facility and is strewn with garbage.
Though the MTC operates buses from the Broadway bus terminus, the space belongs to the Chennai Corporation, with the MTC authorities claiming they do not have any role in maintaining it.
Measures sought
V. Rama Rao, member of the Traffic and Transportation Forum, citing Chennai Corporation’s promise to construct a multi-level two-wheeler/car parking stand at the bus terminus, wanted the civic body to take urgent temporary measures such as removing the encroachments and regularly clearing garbage.
He also wanted the civic body to speed up the renovation of the Broadway bus terminus, which has been planned to be renovated to world-class standards.
A senior official of the Chennai Corporation said the terminus will be converted into a multi-modal transport system serving the commuters of metro and suburban train system. Among the several facilities planned is a skywalk to the Beach railway station.
Also, it has been proposed to exploit commercial opportunities by having multi-level vehicle parking, shops and a food plaza.
