Narrow entry creates congestion inside terminus and traffic bottleneck on road

The narrow passage that acts as both the entrance and exit for the MTC buses at the Arignar Anna Centenary Bus Terminus at Poonamallee on the Poonamallee Avadi high road is proving to be a major traffic bottleneck. The terminus, one of the busiest in the city and suburbs, operates bus services to all the parts of the city and beyond.

No one can miss the pathetic traffic conditions on the road, particularly at the entry and exit points. The frequent snarls witnessed at exit point leads to congestion inside the bus terminus. During peak hours, the situation turns from bad to worse.

R Kanagaraj, a local resident, said that the buses proceeding to different destinations leave the bus stand every minute, and so also buses entering the bus stand. This leads to frequent congestion at the entrance-cum-exit. “Unless the highways department widens the Poonamallee Avadi high road, particularly near the bus terminus, the traffic congestion would continue. During the peak hours, it takes a long time to even get out of the terminus,” he said.

An MTC official said that as many as 420 bus services operated daily to various parts of the State. “The traffic congestion at the entry and exit point are major issues, as we operate buses at the frequency of 5 and 10 minutes,” the official said, adding that in order to decongest the exit point, the bus route number 101 (to Tiruvottiyur) and 62 (to Red Hills) leave the terminus via Theradi Street to Poonamallee Avadi High Road.

T Chidambaram, an employee of a private company in Guindy, said that the commuters who are not familiar with the terminus would find it difficult to locate the bay from where the particular route buses ply. “There is display to guide the commuters to the bay from which certain bus routes operate. The commuter will have to ask other passengers or MTC crew members to get into the bus,” he said, urging the MTC to put up display boards and make public announcement to guide the commuters.

A bus driver complained that despite operating more than 400 services, the terminus did not have a restroom for the crew members. “Most of the bus routes operated in the terminus are long distance one. The buses were operated to Tiruvottiyur, Red Hills and Tiruvallur. After driving in the long-distance routes in traffic, the drivers would like to take rest for a little while before going out for the next trip. They have given out so many shops for the rent, leaving no space for the restroom,” the driver said.