Civic works affect bus connectivity

Corporation officials to conduct neighbourhood-level meetings to resolve issue

Residents alleged that bus connectivity has been disrupted for a week because of Metrowater work on Mugalivakkam Main Road. Photo: K. Pichumani

The large number of civic development works being carried out in the city by Chennai Corporation, Chennai Metrowater and other line agencies has started affecting bus connectivity for residents.

Residents have started requesting the Chennai Corporation to take measures to prevent this disruption.

As more stretches are likely to be dug up for civic works in zones such as Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Ambattur, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, Tiruvottiyur, Manali and Madhavaram, disruption of bus connectivity and diversion of buses is expected to increase.

Civic body officials in association with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation and the Traffic Police are planning to conduct periodic meetings to address such issues in each neighbourhood.

Residents of Mugalivakkam alleged that bus connectivity has been disrupted for one week because of Metrowater work on Mugalivakkam Main Road.

“Neither the Corporation nor our councillor informed residents about the diversion on the bus route. We are still unaware of the alternative route,” said P. Thiagarajan, a resident of AGS Colony.

“Over 400 officers and IT professionals who regularly commute from Arasamaram bus stop have to walk one km now. The officials said the work will be completed only after six months,” said Mr. Thiagarajan.

“We demanded an alternative route through Madanandapuram and Porur. Officials are yet to take action,” he added. Bus routes including 17M, 17G, 45B, 54, 88K, 21K and 254 providing connectivity with Broadway and Anna Square have been affected, said K.S. Kannan, another resident.