CHENNAI: A tired-looking
Thangaraj
of
Gummidipoondi
was rushing to board a
bus
for Trichy at the newly inaugurated Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT), Kilambakkam on Sunday afternoon. Like several others, Thangaraj had gone to CMBT in Koyambedu by mistake. A few minutes later, Devaraj, a middle-aged man from Guduvanchery, came to the new terminus to board a bus to Cuddalore.
A police man informed him that only SETC buses were operating from the new terminus.
The second day of operations at the KCBT was largely uneventful except for confused passengers and irate commuters who demanded refund as buses from South terminated at KCBT, instead of Koyambedu.
“I came from Madurai and had booked tickets up to Koyambedu. But the service terminated at KCBT. The officials here told me that the balance money of 30 will be refunded into my account. Some passengers, who are daily wage earners, were upset,’ said Sharmilee, a passenger.
A senior SETC official said that the refund will be given by the conductor in the bus itself. “Online refund is taking a few days. We don’t want to trouble the passengers till then,” he said.
However, some commuters were unmindful of all this and were busy clicking selfies at the premises. They were fascinated by the well-lit and clean interiors of the terminus adorned with paintings depicting the culture of Tamil Nadu . Most of the shops, except for a few eateries, have not opened yet.
Weary-looking policemen were tirelessly guiding the commuters who were confused about where to go to board the bus. “People do not follow news. Many landed here to board buses to Cuddalore, Villupuram and other districts not covered by SETC. We directed them to Koyambedu,” said a policeman on duty in the terminus.
Outside the terminus, things were not seamless. Many passengers were seen crossing the busy GST Road dangerously. “The foot overbridge should be opened immediately. Besides, there should be bays allotted for cabs and autorickshaws on either side of the GST. Otherwise, there would be utter chaos when the terminus becomes fully functional,” said Ramesh Prabhu, who was heading to Sabarimala.
Another issue that traffic policemen are concerned about is the traffic situation in front of the terminus. Traffic stagnation will occur during peak hours due to vehicles from the service road and those descending the Vandalur flyover entering the terminus. “There should be some remedy for this. Otherwise, this will become yet another Perungalathur junction,” a policeman said.
Minister P K Sekar Babu said that encroachments on the service roads will be removed to facilitate free movement of buses. “A traffic constable will be posted to help commuters cross the road and reach the terminus safely. The work on the skywalk will also start soon,” he said. “Facilities for the differently abled persons will also be in place soon,” he added.
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