Temporary bus stands become operational

These would function till October 23 until the festival rush subsides

Temporary bus stands started functioning at two places in the city from Saturday as part of the city police initiative to ease traffic congestion around the Central Bus Stand during the Deepavali festival holiday.

The temporary bus stands have been established at Mannarpuram and on the Williams Road near the Sona-Mina Theatre. While mofussil buses plying on Thanjavur route would operate from the Williams Road, buses plying on Pudukottai and Madurai routes would operate from Mannarpuram. Buses heading to Chennai from Southern districts and Pudukottai would also go via Mannarpuram to drop and pick up passengers.

There will no change in the pattern of operation of buses to other destinations from Central Bus Stand, police said. Shuttle services would be operated from Mannarpuram to the Central Bus Stand by the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation. The temporary bus stand at Williams Road is situated close to the Central Bus Stand.

While the city police have made arrangements for police pickets to ensure safety of passengers at the temporary bus stands, the Corporation has provided shelters, drinking water supply and toilets.

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation has set up its booth at the temporary bus stands to provide assistance to passengers.

The police have announced that the temporary bus stands would function till October 23 until the festival rush subsides.

The City Police Commissioner A. Arun, in an advisory to prevent traffic congestion in the city, has said that no vehicle should be parked along the national highways obstructing traffic. Buses should halt only at the designated halts and avoid picking up or dropping passengers at traffic signals.

Traders have been asked to desist from encroaching upon road space.

Cracker shops should function only at the permitted space and crackers should not be sold on platforms or pushcarts. Audio advertisements in public places should conform to the permitted decibel level, Mr. Arun said.

Violations would attract stern action, he said and added the complaints can be lodged either by dialling 100 or sent to him through WhatsApp at 9626273399.