With renovation work under way, the bus terminus-cum-depot in East Mogappair will soon sport a new look. According to Metropolitan Transport Corporation officials, the project, estimated to cost Rs. 60 lakh, includes construction of a compound wall, replacement of old lamps, drinking water taps and parking bays with concrete flooring.
The floor level of the terminus will be raised to 1.5 ft above that of the main road.
This would prevent flooding during rainy days, the officials added. An electronic board displaying the departure and arrival of buses would be installed.
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“This is the first facelift given to the terminus after decades,” said the time keeper. The terminus will have toilets for commuters and MTC staff. At present, there is a lone dilapidated washroom mainly used by the MTC staff.
Other features of the project include adequate space to park all its 21 buses at a time, steel gates to lock the premises. The project is expected to be completed in six months. A portion of the total project cost (Rs. 25 lakh) is donated by the local MLA from his constituency fund,” an MTC official said.
Opened in 1990, the 1.5-acre terminus operates 21 buses to Thiruvanmiyur, T. Nagar, Parrys Corner and Anna Salai with more than 5,000 commuters using the facility every day. However, they say the terminus has no bus services to areas such as Tambaram, Poonamallee, Anna Square, Red Hills, Sholinganallur and Tiruvottiyur.
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“The renovation has been a demand by residents for many years and finally, it is being done. However, additional bus services should be operated from the terminus once the work gets completed,” said V. Ramani, a social activist from J.J Nagar.