Out of reckoning

As a bus stop near Anna Nagar Roundtana does not have a Metro Rail station nearby, a modern shelter cannot be built with funds from the Metro Rail project

June 30, 2017 06:43 pm | Updated 06:43 pm IST

Commuters at the bus stop near Anna Nagar Roundtana on Second Avenue Main Road have to manage without a shelter, while those using the other bus stops along the stretch get to wait under swanky shelters. The state-of-the-art shelters have been built by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) as they are located close to the Metro Rail stations on the recently-opened underground line, including Tirumangalam, Anna Nagar Tower (near the Tower Park) and Anna Nagar East stations.

The 9-km underground Metro Rail line connects Nehru Park and Koyambedu. Of the total seven stations between Nehru Park and Koyambedu, four are located on the Second Avenue Main Road, between Tirumangalam and Chintamani junctions.

In front of most Metro Rail stations on Second Avenue Main Road, there are bus stops with shelters. These bus shelters near Metro Rail stations are built by the CMRL as part of the multi-crore Metro Rail project. But the bus stop near the Anna Nagar Roundtana does not have a Metro Rail station. As a result, a new modern bus shelter cannot be built with funds from the Metro Rail project. Bus shelters near the Anna Nagar Roundtana should be built by Greater Chennai Corporation from its general funds. As the construction of subways near Metro Rail stations along the stretch is at the design stage, Corporation officials hesitate to build a bus shelter at the Anna Nagar Roundtana bus stop, which forces commuters to wait under the tree there.

The cost factor

On an average, a modern bus shelter will cost around Rs. 5 lakh. “During summer, we can wait near the tree at the bus stop. Imagine our plight during monsoon. Even with a slight shower, we have to run for cover to a nearby outlet or shopping complex,” says S. Latha, a commuter from Anna Nagar.

Reintroducing a two-way traffic arrangement on Second Avenue Main Road since February 27 this year has helped shore up business for commercial establishments on the stretch. Many of them have now renovated their old dilapidated shopping complexes and outlets with modern glass panels and LED lamps. The inauguration of Metro Rail stations along the stretch has also contributed to revival of businesses in the neighbourhood. Original bus stops on the stretch, mainly those near Metro Rail station, have been restored to facilitate easy connectivity. Most of the buses going to Mogappair, Padi, Anna Nagar West, Nolambur, Ambattur, Annanoor, Avadi, Korattur, Kolathur, Retteri and other areas in the city’s western outskirts ply via Second Avenue Main Road.

According to Metro Rail officials, it will take a few years for the construction of subways, which is now in the design stage, to be completed. Subway work will be carried out only on the opposite side of the Anna Nagar Roundtana (towards Chintamani junction) and will not affect the Anna Nagar Roundtana bus stop.

Interestingly, the Corporation has taken up the renovation of the Anna Nagar Roundtana nearly a decade after the Roundtana was demolished for various infrastructure works. Commuters want the civic body to set up a modern bus shelter at the bus stop immediately.

“Our higher officials at Ripon Buildings (Greater Chennai Corporation’s headquarters) have to give their nod for the construction of a modern bus shelter at the Anna Nagar Roundtana. Once we get the approval and funds, we will execute the work,” said a Corporation official.

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