CHENNAI: Commuters faced significant inconvenience on Saturday as confusion prevailed on the first day of operations at the temporary bus termini at Island Grounds and Royapuram, opened in view of the redevelopment of the Broadway Bus Terminus.
Passengers travelling to various parts of the city and suburbs said many were unaware of the new arrangements, leading to delays and uncertainty. Commuters at both Island Grounds and Royapuram urged officials to make regular bus route number announcements and ensure the availability of essential shops for public convenience.
R Pavithra, working in Sholinganallur, said she was unaware of the shift and knew only the Broadway Bus Terminus and wanted to travel to Madhavaram to visit relatives. “Everyone directed me to Island Grounds, but I did not even know there was a bus terminus there,” she said.
Senior citizens and women complained that the MTC had failed to put up announcement boards or deploy officials at Broadway to guide passengers. They added that the bus drivers were merely informing passengers that buses would no longer go to Broadway without any clear directions. Several commuters alleged that members of the public and autorickshaw drivers often misled passengers about bus numbers operating between the two temporary termini.
Large crowds were seen moving between the bus stop near Raja Annamalai Mandram on Esplanade Road and the junction near Kuralagam on North Fort Road, adding to the chaos.
At Royapuram, commuters said the terminus had only an Aavin canteen and lacked announcements on bus arrivals and departures, which heightened confusion and anxiety.
G Kanaga, a senior citizen from Kannagi Nagar, was seen waiting at the Royapuram Bus Terminus with a bag of flowers. She noted that last week she had travelled from Broadway to Kannagi Nagar by boarding the 102K bus after purchasing flowers at the market. “Today, people guided me to Royapuram to board the 102K. After spending Rs 100 on an auto to reach here, MTC officials asked me to go to Island Grounds instead,” she said.
Adding to the confusion, the destination boards on buses continue to display Broadway. Buela, who was waiting near the Kuralagam junction in North Fort Road under a drizzle, said the presence of MTC officials to guide commuters would have eased the situation on the first day.
Multi-modal facility to come up at Broadway
With the Broadway bus stand shifted, the Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited (CMAML) is preparing to begin construction of an integrated multi-modal facility complex (MMFC) at approximately 26,240 square meters.
With an integrated approach to architecture and eco-friendly design, CMAML plans to construct the facility on a Brownfield Site in Broadway, extending from NSC Bose Road to TNPSC Road.
And, as per the project planning done so far, the MMFC Broadway will consist of multiple entry structures. It will also contain an underground connecting subway between MMFC and the Kuralagam basement.
(With inputs from Nirupa Sampath)