Two MTC bus stops on Jawaharlal Nehru Main Road have to be relocated

These facilities are located close to the ramps of the Vadapalani flyover

Commuters wait to board buses near the flyover in Vadapalani on J.N. Main Road. Photo: D. Madhavan

MTC bus stops on both directions of Jawaharlal Nehru Main Road in Vadapalani have to be relocated as vehicles, moving towards and coming from the new flyover get stranded near these facilities, thereby creating traffic snarls.

This situation is the result of these MTC bus stops being located too close to the ramp of the flyover. Buses from the stables of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and State Express Transport Corporation also drop their passengers near the junction.

“There is wide space a few metres away from the flyover and the bus stops continue to exist near the cramped space where many commercial buildings are located. Pedestrians too take advantage of the traffic chaos to cross the stretch by jumping over the median,” says S. Mani, a motorist from Virugambakkam.

It may be noted that after the opening of the flyover in November 2016, Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses skipped the flyover to halt at these two bus stops on either side of Jawaharlal Nehru Main Road.

However, following a report in The Hindu Down Town , bus drivers were directed to use the flyover.

The arrangement was aimed at reducing the traffic chaos at the junction and allow vehicles under the flyover to travel without halting at the signal, except at the pedestrian-crossing.

Yet, the move has not benefited motorists.