A row of share autorickshaws and maxi cabs in front of the bus terminus at Ambattur Old Town (OT) is adding to the chaos on a section of Chennai–Tiruvallur High (CTH) Road.
These share auto drivers park their vehicles haphazardly on the road and block the movement of other vehicles, causing traffic snarls.
Many motorists and pedestrians want the authorities to relocate the share auto and maxi cab stand to a much wider space on the stretch, to avoid the congestion outside the terminus.
More than a dozen share autorickshaws and maxi cabs can be seen during rush hour. Earlier, no separate lane was earmarked for such vehicles. A few months ago, share auto and maxi cab drivers started halting their vehicles in front of the terminus for what they called just pick-up and drop of commuters. Now, the parking of these vehicles has become permanent with steel barricades separating the parking of these vehicles and rest of the road space for motorists.
“It’s chaotic during rush hour, these vehicles block the movement of traffic on the stretch.
Further, MTC buses also find it difficult to enter and leave the terminus,” says K. Sampath, a motorist from Ambattur.
As per norms, road space for any such public facilities, including bus bays and bus stops, should be given only by local bodies like Corporation and Municipality; or by the State Highways. CTH is maintained by the State Highways Department, The space in front of the bus terminus is one of the many spots between Padi and Thirunindravur, a distance of around 20 km, on the stretch that have not been widened, mainly due to land acquisition problems. The rest of the road has been widened in a phased manner. The widening work is aimed at converting the existing four-lane road into a six-lane stretch with stormwater drains, a median, street lights, reflectors and pedestrian crossings.
“Steps will be taken to relocate share autos and maxi cabs that operate in front of the terminus soon,” says a State Highways Department official.
