Toilet at Vadapalani bus depot likely to be opened today

The facility was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 85 lakh utilising the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) Fund. The transport corporation had erected a high-mast light and built the toilet on its premises.

An official from the MTC confirmed that the facility has been remaining shut, owing to the delay in getting approval from higher officials.

“Though there is one toilet inside the facility, the commuters and staff never use it.  It was neglected for several years without any maintenance. 

Therefore, the Greater Chennai Corporation decided to construct one more toilet on the same premises. But it was opened to the public. Several representations were made to the authorities, who gave several excuses for the delay,” an MTC bus driver attached to the depot said.

“The MTC is giving scant regards to sanitation and hygiene. The situation is not very different at the depots located across the city. The transport utility should give high priority to those facilities located at prime areas of the city, given the high number of users,” a commuter, S Manohari, said.

In the absence of a working toilet, commuters and staff are relieving themselves on the adjoining streets. Commuters claim that the plight of women is worrisome.

The depot is located in heart of the city and it witnesses a footfall of more than 1,000 commuters every day. Several buses to various routes, including Tiruvottriyur, Guindy, Ambattur Estate, Tiruvanmiyur, Kumaran Colony and Tambaram are being operated from this facility.

 “The new toilet will be thrown open to the public soon. The inauguration of the facility was delayed due to various unknown reasons,” said a top official attached to the MTC.