Ply 50 feeder services: CMRL to MTC

It has been reliably learnt that CMRL officials had given a wish list sometime after June, asking MTC to operate 51 feeder services connecting its stations to city interiors on the existing metro network under operation from Airport to Nehru Park and St Thomas Mount to Nehru Park. Senior MTC officials who confirmed the receipt of such requests said they have decided to operate small buses on 26 routes in addition to the existing fleet of 12. 

The sanctioned feeder service on 26 routes would become a reality only after a new fleet of small buses arrive. “Transport department is yet to float tenders for procuring the small buses. Bids would be invited only after funds are allocated,” MTC officials revealed. 

Meanwhile, MTC had launched a feeder service (every 20 minutes) linking Chennai Central to Nehru Park via Egmore (route no: S96) late last month. Patronage of the service was not encouraging and it fetched a revenue of just Rs 1,000 per bus, MTC sources revealed. As of now, small buses are operated on Alandur -Velacherry, KK Nagar – CMBT, Alandur – Madipakkam, Vadapalani – Koyambedu and Valasarawakkam to Koyambedu routes. 

General manager of ICF, Sudhanshu Mani would hold additional charge as GM of Southern Railway zone, which fell vacant following the superannuation of Vashishta Johri on September 30, 2017. 

RK Meena, joint secretary of the Railway Board, had issued orders on Monday, October 9, advising the GM of the coach factory to look after the duties of GM of SR for three months or until further orders.