PWD work at CMBT poses danger to commuters

The canal is being dug to siphon excess water from the low lying areas like Virugambakkam and Arumbakkam to the Cooum. 

The commuters, many of whom DT Next spoke to on Thursday complained that huge pits dug up on the CMBT premises was posing danger to many, especially the elderly and women. 

They felt that the pits not only posed a danger to commuters but to buses entering CMBT as well. Also, there were no signboards to warn commuters of the ongoing canal works. 

“The officials should put up barricades around the pits, as some people particularly aged people unknowingly could stumble and fall into it. Further, it is shocking that at a huge bus terminus like CMBT these pits have been left unattended,” said A Kannan, a commuter from Aminjikarai. 

Some local residents said that it has become routine for the PWD officials to dig up pits and later close the same in a leisurely manner. “I have seen such works being taken up by the PWD, but it would never be planned properly. Even three years ago, I noticed a couple of pits near the area where the MTC buses would enter and leave,” said T Kamaraj, a resident of Koyambedu. 

An engineer with the PWD, requesting anonymity, assured that the works will be completed soon. 

Considering the recent flood situation in the city, the works would be taken up on a war footing, the engineer said. And, we would take steps to cover the pits at the in main places in side the bus terminus,” he added. 

When contacted S Murugesan, General Manager, MTC said that they had complained to PWD officials many times. “We will again contact them and pits would be covered for passengers’ convenience,” he said.