Bus terminus in Vadapalani makes commuters search for basic facilities

The Vadapalani bus depot was built way back in 1965. The stone benches which were installed at the time of its original construction alone remain intact after the Corporation renovated the facility three years ago. Earlier, the depot was beset with water stagnation problems, especially during rainy season. 

“The facility is located at a low lying area. Hence, a brief spell of rains used to inundate the facility. After several complaints from the commuters to the then depot manager, the concrete flooring of the facility was raised to make it on the same level as the approach road,” a commuter said.

The MTC relaid the flooring at an estimated cost of Rs 89 lakh. But the commuters demand a complete overhaul of the facility. “The seating arrangement is old. While most termini are getting modern facilities,commuters here have to use stone benches,” said V Sivaraman, a resident of Vadapalani.

Garbage bins are nowhere to be seen and passengers are throwing waste everywhere.

“Mendicants utilise the space during the daytime. They sleep on the stone benches and so commuters are forced to stand while waiting for buses. The staff at the depot can take cognisance of the issue,” said Shruthimala, another commuter.

Recently, the facility was equipped with a public toilet at a cost of Rs 85 lakh. But it is yet to be put for public use. “The toilet here is inaccessible and remains in a pathetic condition. Passengers relieve themselves in the open. A small temple and fruit and vegetable vendors have occupied the space near the toilet,” she added.

The facility, which is located in the heart of the city, provides connectivity to many parts of the city, including Koyembedu, Besant Nagar, Anna Salai, Broadway and Tambaram.

“After a bus shelter in Coimbatore collapsed and killed five persons, MTC officials took an audit of shelters across the city. The roof of the facility in Vadapalani was replaced after the inspection,” said a conductor.

“Earlier, an overhead tank for drinking water supply was provided. But it is in a dilapidated condition now. We have requested to renovate the structure as it is more than two decades old. The authorities have promised to carry out the works but nothing concrete emerged after that,” he added. When asked about the issues raised by passengers and staff at the Vadapalani dept, a top official attached to the MTC said, “Conservancy workers clean the area twice a day and we make sure it is maintained properly. About the water tank, the public stopped using it as they preferred AMMA water bottles, which are sold inside the premises. Also, we are yet to receive a green signal from the top officials in regard to the inauguration of the public toilet.”