People want better bus links to Kilambakkam

People want better bus links to Kilambakkam

Vivek Narayanan /

Chennai: Ambattur resident T Mahadevan and his family, who have planned a Pongal trip to their hometown Kanyakumari, must first switch MTC buses and travel one hour to Kilambakkam before boarding an SETC bus.

“I will have to reach CMBT Koyambedu and board a bus to Kilambakkam. An uphill task with luggage and my child,” said Mahadevan.

Many passengers travelling to southern TN from the western suburbs want point-to-point buses from all depots to Kilambakkam and increased suburban train frequency between Tambaram and Chengalpet.

Experts say connectivity and other smaller issues should have been resolved earlier.

Given the poor frequency of its buses, they wonder how MTC will manage frequent services to Kilambakkam terminus. “The planning regarding operation of services from Kilambakkam is missing.

The government can either procure more buses for shuttle services or outsource connectivity aspect. But this should be monitored,” said K Kumar, former chief planner, CMDA.

MTC operates more than 4,000 trips between Kilambakkam and different areas including Thiruvanmiyur, Broadway Poonamallee, Koyambedu, Tambaram, Guindy, Vadapalani and Koyambedu.

Commuters from north and west Chennai say shuttle buses to Kilambakkam should originate at all depots and nearest railway stations.

“There are no buses from Aynavaram or Perambur to the new terminus. Besides there are no luggage racks in MTC buses,” said M Somasundaram, consumer activist.

Trains are not a feasible option now as frequency on Chengalpet route is poor and commuters have to get off at Vandalur and Urapakkam and take a bus or auto to the terminus. Frequency of trains on Chengalpet route, currently 15 minutes during peak hours, can be increased.

The other option is to alight at Tambaram and board a bus to Kilambakkam. “It’s a struggle with luggage,” said G Raguraman of Perungalathur.

MTC crew claim the promised frequency between three and 15 minutes is not sustainable. “The distance is long, and it’s a traffic prone route. It is impossible to operate at the frequency promised,” said V Dayanandam, CITU, general secretary, MTC.

A senior MTC official said frequency to Kilambakkam is currently adequate and will be enhanced, while a senior CMDA official said work on the railway station will start soon.