CommUters frequenting the bus stop near MGR Janaki Matriculation School on 21st Avenue Road in Vadapalani have “reported” the disappearance of an old bus shelter.
Quite understandably, many of them don’t relish the idea of standing in the open, on a hot day. The recent showers have given residents some respite from the typical Chennai weather conditions – bus then, as we said, this is just a respite.
Located on a road that connects Arcot Road with Second Avenue Main Road in Ashok Nagar, it is a busy bus stop. Students of schools in the vicinity, which include Sarawathi Vidyalaya, MGR Janaki Matriculation School and MGR Matriculation School use the facility.
As this area is part of a bustling commercial locality, it draws a large number of shoppers and many of them use this bus stop.
Another factor behind the high footfall at the facility: All ordinary and luxury MTC buses coming from Vadapalani, Iyyapanthangal, Kundrathur, Poonamallee and K.K. Nagar depots halt here.
The two closest bus stops with shelters are at Vadapalani bus terminus and near Ram theatre in Power House. And, both are a kilometre away.
“It is unfortunate that the bus shelters were removed without putting an alternative arrangement in place," says S. Vani, a commuter from Vadapalani.
Greater Chennai Corporation officials say the bus shelter installed had to be removed as it was an unauthorised facility set up by a few individuals.
As per norms, bus shelters in the city should be installed only by Corporation (and in the case of areas outside the Corporation limits, by the respective local body) and the Metropolitan Transport Corporation.
From time to time, a drive is launched to demolish such unauthorised bus shelters.
Commuters however point out that the civic body could have made an alternative arrangement before laying the axe to the shleter.
The demolished bus shelter carried bus route numbers and other details that could prove valubale to commuters using the bus stop for the first time.
Similarly, the bus stop near the market in Vadapalani is without a bus shelter, after it shifted from Vadapalani junction in a move to decongest Arcot Road. “Steps will be taken to build modern bus shelters at these bus stops," says a Corporation official.