Korattur bus terminus gets a facelift

The work is expected to be completed in a few weeks, says D. MADHAVAN

The terminus will have amenities such as water taps, toilets, electronic timing boards, a time keeper's booth and seating arrangements. Photo : K.Pichumani.

There are signs that hundreds of commuters accustomed to the open terminus in Korattur will soon be using a pucca terminus, complete with a slew of facilities and not to mention, a roof.

The work relating to the upgradation of the old terminus has now reached its final stages.

The improvements include construction of shelters, seating arrangements for passengers and water taps.

The work is being carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD).

Located on an expansive open land belonging to the Revenue Department, the terminus is being renovated with MLA’s Area Development funds, at an estimated cost of Rs. 50 lakh. “The work was started a few months ago and will be completed by August,” said a PWD official.

 Hundreds of commuters from areas like Balaji Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Agaharam, TVS Nagar and Central Avenue board buses from the terminus every day to reach Broadway, Anna Salai, Teynampet, T. Nagar, Koyambedu, Red Hills, Villivakkam, Perambur and Kilpauk.

Many workers from the SIDCO (Small Industrial Development Corporation) Industrial Estate too board their buses here .

One of the major advantages of the terminus is that it is located on the main road that connects the Chennai Bypass and the Jawaharlal Nehru (JN) Main Road. It also provides a link between Korattur-Villivakkam and Ambattur Industrial Estate. “The terminus is the only public transport facility in the neighbourhood. Residents of interior areas find it convenient to board buses from the terminus,” said K. Suresh, a commuter from Korattur. According to PWD officials, the terminus will have all basic amenities including water taps, toilets, bus shelters, electronic timing boards, a time keeper’s booth, dustbins, seating arrangements, rest rooms for the MTC staff, bus bays and a compound wall.

The existing sandy floor of the terminus will also be levelled with concrete mix and the height of the floor will be raised at least by two feet to prevent water logging during monsoon. “The Corporation and the MTC will later decide on installing high mast lamp for better illumination,” said a PWD official.

According to civic officials, this is the first time the terminus is being given a facelift since 2008, when, after repeated complaints, the approach road and the floor of the terminus were bitumen-topped.