Ahead of summer, passengers cry for water at KK Nagar bus terminus

With lack of seating arrangements, toilets and drinking water, KK Nagar bus terminus cum depot located on Anna Main Road is a picture of neglect. 

With a fleet strength of 195 buses, 182 scheduled services are being operated from the facility every day. Spread over four acres, the facility operates services to various parts of the city, including Broadway, Anna Square, Iyyapantangal, Vadapalani, T Nagar, Tambaram, Mandaveli, Anna Nagar, CMBT and Tiruvanmiyur.

Last year, 167 buses run by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) and 20 buses of  Puducherry Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) were shifted to K K Nagar MTC depot. It is one of the oldest terminals in the city.

However, regular passengers complain that it is not well-maintained. “The spacious facility lacks seating arrangements and the shelters are broken. 

Usually, the commuters turn the median as waiting area. It is difficult for elderly persons who have to sit on the pavements to rest. It is going to be even more difficult as summer starts,” a commuter said.

Among other features that are absent, digital time board and public announcement system are also missing at the terminus.

“During rainy season, the facility is completely inundated as the floor of the terminus is around one foot below the road level. 

The conventional sodium vapour lamps are dim and most of them are not functioning. It is not safe to travel after night fall. Residents of the area are forced to depend either on private vehicles or share autos,” another commuter said.

There is no provision for drinking water inside the facility. “The authorities should ensure that drinking water is freely available inside the depot as summer is fast approaching,” the commuter added.

In addition, the facility lacks toilets for the staff and, therefore, they relieve themselves in the open. “We use the space available on the backside of this facility. 

We have long working hours and stay on the road for a good part of the day. We are forced to relieve in the open. There are women staff, too, whose plight is miserable when compared to their male colleagues,” said a staff on the condition of anonymity.

When contacted, a senior official attached to the MTC said, “Necessary steps will be taken to provide basic facilities at the terminus.”