CHENNAI:
Madhavaram Mofussil Bus Terminus (
MMBT) was reopened for fleet operations on Wednesday, about eight months after the facility was shut in the wake
Covid-19 outbreak.
MMBT emerged as a temporary market for wholesale fruit traders following the closure of Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex (KWMC) in May. KWMC was closed as it had become a Covid-19 hotspot.
According to Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (
CMDA), which maintains MMBT, the temporary fruit wholesale market was shut on November 13 and shops were shifted to Koyambedu again. This paved the way for reopening Madhavaram for operation of fleets to
Andhra Pradesh and different parts of Tiruvallur district.
Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) sources said that MMBT resumed operations after the state government allowed bus operation between the two states from November 25 without e-registration.
"Now, TNSTC is operating 150 services to various towns of Chittoor and Nellore districts in Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh Transport Corporation is also plying another 150 services to cities including Hyderabad and Vijayawada," transport corporation official added. This apart, 16 private fleets are also shuttling between Madhavaram and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.