Fares of cabs, autos hit the roof

Fares of cabs, autos hit the roof

Ram Sundaram & V Ayyappan | TNN

08.11.2021

Fares of cabs and autorickshaws shot through the roof after heavy rain crippled the transport network of the city on Sunday. While suburban trains were not operated throughout the day, only 10% of government buses remained on the roads in the city.

Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai, usually operates 3,100 buses daily, but on Sunday, only 400 buses were operational.

Even those on the roads were unable to complete their trips due to traffic diversions and closure of subways. As a result, demand for auto and cabs shot up. The fare for longer trips was at least 200% higher than the usual rates. For instance, cabs demanded Rs.500 for travelling to Tambaram from Madipakkam. Usually, it costs less than Rs.300 even during peak hours, said R Raghu, a Madipakkam resident.

Since the Southern Railway shifted the departure of certain long-distance trains from Central station to Thiruvallur, Avadi, Beach, Thiruvottiyur and Perambur, many passengers had no other option but to pay a bomb to autorickshaws and cabs.

Departures of trains were delayed by at least three to four hours at Central. “Several commuters suffered because there was no reliable helpline to give info on status of suburban trains,” said T Sadagopan, a resident-activist from Avadi. The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) and six other statetransport corporations managed to operate more than 16,000 buses to Chennai from other parts of the state.

Chief Minister MK Stalin requested people not to rush back to Chennai due to a prediction of more rain for the next two days.

At the airport, all flights were operated as scheduled, but many passengers missed flights as they were unable to reach the airport.

'பாஸ்டேக்' இருந்தும் நெரிசல்: சுங்கச் சாவடிகளில் அணிவகுப்பு

DINAMALAR

பொது செய்தி

தமிழ்நாடு

'பாஸ்டேக்' இருந்தும் நெரிசல்: சுங்கச் சாவடிகளில் அணிவகுப்பு

Added : நவ 03, 2021 21:01

சென்னை:'பாஸ்டேக்' நடைமுறை இருந்தும் முன்னேற்பாடுகள் இல்லாததால், சுங்கச் சாவடிகளில் தீபாவளிக்கு சொந்த ஊருக்கு சென்றவர்களின் வாகனங்கள் அணிவகுத்து நின்றன.

தமிழகத்தில் உள்ள தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலைகளில் பயணிக்கும் வாகனங்களிடம் கட்டணம் வசூலிப்பதற்காக, 48 இடங்களில் சுங்கச் சாவடிகள் உள்ளன. சுங்கச் சாவடிகளில் ரொக்க கட்டணம் செலுத்த வாகனங்கள் காத்திருப்பதால், குறித்த நேரத்திற்கு செல்ல முடியாத சூழல் ஏற்பட்டது. இதையடுத்து, ஜன., முதல் மின்னணு முறையில் கட்டணம் வசூலிக்கும் 'பாஸ்டேக்' நடைமுறை நாடு முழுதும் அமலுக்கு வந்தது.

இந்த பாஸ்டேக் அட்டைகள், வங்கிகள் மற்றும் தொலைதொடர்பு நிறுவனங்கள் வாயிலாக வழங்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது. இதனால், சுங்கச் சாவடிகளில் காத்திருப்பு குறைந்துள்ளது. தீபாவளி பண்டிகையை ஒட்டி, சென்னையில் அலுவல் காரணமாக வசிக்கும் பலரும், சொந்த ஊர்களுக்கு சென்றனர். இதனால், அண்ணாசாலை, ஜி.என்.டி., சாலை, ஜி.எஸ்.டி., சாலை, பூந்தமல்லி நெடுஞ்சாலை, கிழக்கு கடற்கரை சாலை உள்ளிட்ட முக்கிய சாலைகளில், கடும் போக்குவரத்து நெரிசல் ஏற்பட்டு வருகிறது.

பாஸ்டேக் அட்டைகள் இருந்தும், சுங்கச் சாவடிகளில் கட்டணம் செலுத்த வாகனங்கள் காத்திருக்க வேண்டிய நிலை ஏற்பட்டு உள்ளது. சென்னை பைபாஸ் சாலையில் உள்ள வானகரம், சூரப்பட்டு; சென்னை - கோல்கட்டா சாலையில் உள்ள நல்லுார்; சென்னை - பெங்களூரு சாலையில் உள்ள ஸ்ரீபெரும்புதுார்; சென்னை - திருச்சி சாலையில் உள்ள பரனுார் சுங்கச் சாவடிகளில், வாகனங்கள் அணிவகுத்து நின்றன. போதிய பாஸ்டேக் கட்டண வசூலிப்பு கருவிகள், ஊழியர்கள் இல்லாதது இதற்கு காரணம். இதனால், குறித்த நேரத்திற்கு செல்ல முடியாமல், பலரும் அவதிக்குள்ளாகினர்.

குறித்த நேரத்திற்கு மேல் காத்திருந்தால், கட்டணம் வசூலிக்க கூடாது என, மத்திய அரசு உத்தரவிட்டு உள்ளது.இதற்காக, சுங்க கட்டணம் செலுத்தும் கவுன்டரில் இருந்து குறிப்பிட்ட துாரம் வரை, மஞ்சள் கோடு வரைய வேண்டும். இந்த கோட்டிற்கு வெளியே காத்திருக்கும் வாகனங்களிடம் கட்டணம் வசூலிக்க கூடாது என, தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலை ஆணையம் கூறியுள்ளது. ஆனால், மஞ்சள் கோடு வரைவதற்கு சுங்கச் சாவடி கட்டண வசூலிப்பு நிறுவனங்கள், ஆர்வம் காட்டாமல் உள்ளன.

இதை, ஆணையம் கண்டுகொள்ளாமல் உள்ளது. இது வாகன ஓட்டிகள், பயணியர் மத்தியில் அதிருப்தியை ஏற்படுத்தி உள்ளது.

இலவச பயணம் செய்யும் பெண்களை நாயாய் விரட்டும் கண்டக்டர்கள்

DINAMALAR

சம்பவம் செய்தி

தமிழ்நாடு

இலவச பயணம் செய்யும் பெண்களை நாயாய் விரட்டும் கண்டக்டர்கள்

Updated : நவ 05, 2021 01:19 | Added : நவ 04, 2021 23:53

பெரம்பலுார் :டவுன் பஸ்களில் இலவசமாக பயணம் செய்யும் பெண்களை, அரசு பஸ் கண்டக்டர்கள் மற்றும் டிரைவர்கள் நாயாய் விரட்டுவதால், தமிழக அரசு மீது பெண்களுக்கு அதிருப்தி அடைந்து வருகின்றனர்.

தமிழக சட்டசபை தேர்தலில் வாக்குறுதிப்படி, அரசு டவுன் பஸ்களில் பெண்கள் இலவசமாக பயணம் செய்து வருகின்றனர். இலவசம் என்பதால், அரசு டவுன் பஸ்களில் பயணம் செய்யும் பெண்களின் எண்ணிக்கை தற்போது கணிசமாக உயர்ந்துள்ளது. டவுன் பஸ்களில் ஆண்கள் எண்ணிக்கையை விட, பெண்களின் கூட்டம் அதிக அளவில் காணப்படுகிறது. இலவச பயணத்தால் தி.மு.க., அரசு மீது பெண்கள் மத்தியில் ஈர்ப்பு ஏற்பட்டது. அந்த ஈர்ப்பு தற்போது குறையத் துவங்கி உள்ளது.

இதற்கு, அரசு டவுன் பஸ்களில் இலவமாக பயணிக்கும் பெண்களை, அந்த பஸ்களில் பணியாற்றும் பெரும்பாலான கண்டக்டர்கள் மற்றும் டிரைவர்கள், இலவசமுன்னு சொன்னதும் போதும், ஆட்டோவுலேயே போகாம எல்லாரும் டவுன் பஸ்சுலேயே வாறீங்க. ஓசியில வர்றவங்களாம் டிக்கெட்டை கேட்டு வாங்குங்க. காசு கொடுத்து வர்றவங்க நின்னுட்டு வர்றாங்க, நீங்க பக்கத்துல இறங்குற ஊருக்கு உர்கார்ந்துட்டீங்களோ. அந்த ஸ்டாப்புல நிக்காது. இந்த பஸ்சுல ஏறாதீங்க, அடுத்த பஸ்சுல வாங்க. வீட்டுல, காட்டுல வேலை ஏதும் இல்லையா, எல்லாம் கிளம்பி வந்துடுறீங்க என்று, இஷ்டத்துக்கு பெண்களை அவர்கள் வசை பாடுவதே காரணமாக உள்ளது.

அரசாங்கம் உத்தரவால் தான் இலவசமாக நாங்க போறாம். நீங்க ஏன் இப்படி பேசுறீங்க என பெண்களுக்கும், கண்டக்டர்களுக்கும் இடையே தினமும் தகராறு நடக்கிறது. இவர்கள் இவ்வாறு நடந்து கொள்வதற்கு, தங்களுக்கு படிக்காசு கிடைக்காது என்ற கோபமே காரணம்.

இதுகுறித்து போக்குவரத்துக்கழக அதிகாரிகளுக்கு பல்வேறு புகார்கள் சென்றும் நடவடிக்கை ஏதும் இல்லை. எனவே, தமிழக முதல்வர் இதில் சிறப்பு கவனம் செலுத்தி, இலவச பயணம் செய்பவர்களுக்கு ஏற்படும் இன்னல்களை போக்க, பெண்கள் கோரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளனர்.

Five years on, 1,200m flyover at Velachery to open today

Five years on, 1,200m flyover at Velachery to open today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.11.2021

The long-delayed flyover at Vijayanagar junction connecting the road from Taramani with the Velacherry by-pass will be opened to the public by chief minister M K Stalin on Monday.

Work on the 1,200m flyover began in 2016 and it took five years and cost ₹186 crore to complete. State highways department officials said various factors contributed to the delay. To begin with the project got stuck over land acquisition. A section of people moved court and only in June last year, during the lockdown period, did the highways department get the go-ahead from the court, said an official.

The flyover has a two-lane carriage way with a width of 7.5 metres. This means only one-way traffic can be allowed. Similar is the size of the second arm, connecting Velacherry with Pallikaranai. This is also planned as flyover with one way traffic, said the official.

A local resident S Kumara Raja said about 11,500 sqft of land was needed to take up the flyover construction. With the court issuing a stay on the work, the original plan to complete it by within 24 months fell through.

Then the giant sewer line from the nearby residential areas to the Perungudi treatment plant became another hurdle, which needed to be realigned. This work took nearly a year. When these works were completed, the lockdown halted work.

The second arm of the flyover, connecting Velacherry to Pallikaranai, measuring 640 metres is expected to be ready by this yearend.

Kumara Raja said both arms could only handle oneway traffic and rued that they had not been better planned.

LONG DUE: Work on the 1,200-metre-long flyover began in 2016

Cars headed for Chengalpet told to avoid Perungalathur

FESTIVE RUSH

Cars headed for Chengalpet told to avoid Perungalathur

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:01.11.2021

In order to avoid traffic congestion during the Diwali festival eve, the state transport department has advised private cars and taxis to avoid the Tambaram-Perungalathur route to reach Chengalpet.

Instead, vehicles have been asked to take either the Thirukazhukundram or Sriperumbudur routes to reach Chengalpet so that they can proceed towards Salem or Trichy.

“If they take this detour, motorists will be driving 25 km to 50 km extra. But the travel time will be more or less the same as Perungalathur will be congested due to movement of government special buses,” said a senior transport department official.

To avoid delays at Perungalathur, government buses (Diwali specials), which depart from Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) in Koyambedu, will not take the Maduravoyal Bypass Road to reach Perungalathur.

All these buses, which will carry reserved passengers from Chennai to other Tamil Nadu districts for the next four days (November 1 to 4), will travel along the Outer Ring Road (via Nazarathpet) to reach Urapakkam.

A temporary bus stand has been set up at Urapakkam to pick up passengers, who have booked their bus tickets from Perungulathur. Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai has arranged special buses to pick up passengers from Perungulathur and drop them at Urapakkam.

Besides this, MTC has arranged special buses round the clock from CMBT to four other temporary (special) bus stands setup in the city at Madhavaram (buses to Gummidipoondi), KK Nagar (Puducherry, Chidambaram), Tambaram (Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Tindivanam and Thiruvannamalai) and Poonamalle (Arani, Krishnagiri and Hosur).

According to official data, 9,808 government buses are expected to leave the city during the next four days.

“Trucks and heavy containers will be stopped at checkposts on national highway stretches in the city's suburbs if buses and cars need more time to leave Chennai. Or else it will result in a congestion at Sriperumbudur," said a Chennai City Traffic Police (CCTP) official.

Police have requested highway authorities on Chennai-Trichy and Chennai-Bengaluru highways to earmark one lane in each toll plaza for buses so that the waiting time gets reduced.

Diwali special buses to ply from Nov 1-3

Diwali special buses to ply from Nov 1-3

State-run, Pvt Buses To Start From 6 Places

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:31.10.2021

In view of Diwali, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) and private operators are set to operate extra buses from Chennai to various destinations. To ease congestion and confusion at the boarding points, the State has decided to operate services from six terminuses namely Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT), Madhavaram Mofussil Bus Terminus (MMBT), Poonamallee bus stand, Tambaram Sanitorium bus stand, Tambaram railway station bus stand and KK Nagar bus depot. The special services will be from November 1 to 3 and November 5 to 8.

CMBT: Buses to Velankanni, Trichy, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Sengottai, Nagercoil, Thiruchendur, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Salem, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Virudhunagar, Pudukkottai, Karaikudi, Erode, Salem, Pollachi and Bangalore

Madhavaram: Buses to Andhra Pradesh and all the APSRTC buses via Red Hills, Gummidipoondi and Uthukottai.

Poonamallee: Buses to Kancheepuram, Arcot, Arani, Vellore, Dharmapuri, Thirupattur and Hosur.

Tambaram Sanitorium: Buses to Tindivanam, Thanjavur, Panruti, Kumbakonam and Vikravandi

Tambaram railway station: Buses from Chennai via Tindivanam to Tiruvannamalai, Gingee, Katumanarkoil, Polur, Vandavasi, Neyveli, Vadalur and beyond.

KK Nagar bus depot: Buses going through East Coast Road to Puducherry, Cuddalore and Chidambaram.

MTC is arranging special connecting buses for passengers to reach the special bus stations. Passengers are requested to follow all Covid norms and wear a mask throughout their journey. TNSTC, SETC and omni buses will take the following routes:-All reserved TNSTC, SETC buses from Koyambedu CMBT will take outer ring road to reach Urapakkam temporary bus station to board passengers who reserved from Tambaram and Perungalathur. As usual SETC buses will ply via Poonamallee high road, Vanagaram, Nazarathpet, outer ring road and reach Vandalur. These buses will not pass through Tambaram and Perungulathur.

Similarly, omni buses operating from Koyambedu bound for other districts should take Poonamallee high road, Vanagaram, Nazarathpet, outer ring road and reach Vandalur. These buses will not pass through Tambaram and Perungulathur. Omni buses towards ECR will be permitted via 100 feet road, Kathipara, Guindy, Sardar Patel road (OMR, ECR) subject to the approval of traffic police. Omni buses should avoid boarding points on 100 feet road, Poonamallee high road in front of CMRL, Alandur Metro, KK Nagar. Instead those passengers can be asked to board from Koyambedu or Urapakkam. All passengers are requested to take note of the above arrangements, plan their travel accordingly, the authorities said.

Passengers have been requested to follow all Covid norms and wear a mask throughout their journey

Pvt bus fare to Coimbatore ₹2,800

Pvt bus fare to Coimbatore ₹2,800

Flying Would Cost Just ₹400 More & Save Travel Time

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:12.10.2021

This festive week, you can travel from Chennai to Coimbatore by air instead of private buses which collect almost the same fare.

Kyros Connects, a private operator, is charging ₹2,800 per head to travel between the two cities on Wednesday in an airconditioned (semi-sleeper) bus. The average fare collected by premium travel agencies along this route for A/C sleeper buses too is ₹2,500 Instead, you can fly to Coimbatore by paying another ₹400 extra. Air India is charging ₹3,100 (including tax, etc.) for a one-way trip along the route on the same day. IndiGo collects ₹3,400 per head.

Commuters say it would take at least 10 hours to reach Coimbatore by road. “This could get worse if there is traffic congestion near toll plazas. Besides this, there is always a risk of road accidents on highway stretches because of the extra rush during such festive occasions,” said V Sudarshan, who preferred a flight over bus to travel to his home in Coimbatore for the pooja holidays.

Despite warnings and promises, nothing has changed when it comes to fleecing of private bus passengers during a festive season in Chennai. Ahead of the extended weekend, most private bus operators have again doubled the fares. Official data shows that around 1,500 private buses are to be operated among various cities in the state for the pooja holidays. “Violations are happening right under the nose of the government officials and they choose to remain silent,” said Sudarshan.

Aggregators like Redbus and Abhibus have publicly announced the exorbitant rates. Asked about this, R S Rajakannapan, state transport minister, simply replied that ‘stringent’ action would be taken against those who collect excess fare. A team consisting of officials of the transport department and police officers would inspect, seize and penalise violators. Members of the public can call 044-24749002 or 18004256165 in case of complaints.

On their part, private bus operators have reiterated that they have faced huge losses during the Covid-triggered lockdown and that they can compensate for it only by collecting a slightly higher fare during festival seasons and weekends.

Free bus rides for women eating into our incentive: TNSTC drivers

Free bus rides for women eating into our incentive: TNSTC drivers

The driver and the conductor of a government bus are collectively given a Rs 1.33 (66 paisa each for driver and conductor) incentive rate for every Rs 100 of the total collection for the day.

Published: 24th September 2021 05:18 AM |

By Thinakaran Rajamani

Express News Service

TENKASI: Government bus drivers and conductors said the ‘free bus travel for women’ scheme was eating into their collection incentive and it had become difficult to manage their daily expenses with the current earnings.

“Earlier we used to get collection incentive of Rs 60 to Rs 70 daily. Now it has come down to Rs 15 to Rs 20. 60% of the daily passengers in my bus are women. The collection amount has drastically decreased from Rs 8000 to Rs 2500. I used to pay for tea, vada and tiffin with my incentive until the State government launched this scheme. Now I have to pay for these things out of my pocket. My family budget has taken a hit,” said Kasthuri Mariappan, a government bus driver from Tirunelveli.

The driver and the conductor of a government bus are collectively given a Rs 1.33 (66 paisa each for driver and conductor) incentive rate for every Rs 100 of the total collection for the day. “There is an agreement that transport corporations should keep the rate of collection incentive the same even if the bus fare is increased.

However, the corporation reduced the rate of the incentive in 2018 after the government increased the bus fare. Now, the free bus travel scheme has put another dent into the incentive. The State government should bear this loss,” demanded Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporations’ Workers Federation’s General Secretary R Radhakrishnan.

He added his federation made a representation to the State government in this connection. “The government allotted Rs 1200 crore for free travel scheme. However, the need of transport corporations is roughly Rs 2000 crore each year. Corporations should utilise the fund allocation to not only bear the expenses of women travellers but also compensate workers for the loss,” he said.

When contacted by TNIE, Managing Director of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Tirunelveli, S Rajeswaran, said, “As of now we are giving drivers and conductors the collection incentive based on their daily collection but we will consider their demand.” Another official of the Transport Department said the State’s policy decision in favour of the workers would resolve their problem.

CITY BUS DEPOTS IN TOTAL DISARRAY

CITY BUS DEPOTS IN TOTAL DISARRAY

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

21.09.2021

They are frequented by millions of people daily, but most government bus terminals in the city are in terrible shape, with hardly any passenger facilities.

The bay at the Ayanavaram terminus in central Chennai, used by at least 200 MTC buses daily, is almost entirely used as a parking lot by private vehicles, mainly belonging to people coming for driving licence tests and vehicle registrations at the adjacent Regional Transport Office building.

Some of these vehicles are parked at the entrance of the terminus, forcing drivers of buses to park on the roadside. The two rows of seats for waiting passengers are damaged. “Usually bus frequency is poor after the lunch hour and we stand in the sun and rain for 15-20 minutes,” said B Satish, a regular commuter.

T Sadagopan, a resident-activist from Avadi, said that almost all bus terminuses in the western suburbs lack urinals and toilets and those that are available are unclean. At Avadi, the urinal is located inside the branch manager’s office and kept under lock and key. Passengers, mostly senior citizens who are diabetic, are at the mercy of officials to use it, he said.

Another basic facility that is lacking is access to clean drinking water. The Amma Water Scheme, welcomed by all sections, has been given a silent burial and even MTC staff are forced to buy water from private shops in the vicinity, say workers’ unions.

The terminus at Broadway, where more than 650 buses on 70 different routes arrive and depart daily and which attracts more than 1 lakh footfalls daily, has been neglected for long. A Greater Chennai Corporation official said a detailed proposal was submitted to the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board (TNIDB) for a 900-crore project to transform the facility with demarcated space for bus bays, a multi-storey parking complex, commercial space and rail connectivity.

V Rama Rao of the Traffic and Transportation Forum commuters had been waiting for the past 20 years but the corporation has not moved to mitigate their woes.

A senior MTC official said transport minister R S Rajakannapan recently visited the Amma water bottling plant in Gummidipoondi and promised to expand production.

The Union urban affairs ministry, in its manual for city bus depots, mandates installation of Public Address Systems with alarms, but none of the terminals visited by TOI Ayanavaram, Broadway, Foreshore Estate, Velachery and Ambattur had them. “Signages and PA systems play an important role in regulating pedestrian movement. Commuting can be easier for passengers, particularly those from other districts or states who are unfamiliar with city bus routes, if relevant information of bus arrival/departure timings and directions are provided through PA systems in multiple languages,” said T Rengachari, a transportation activist.

Kilambakkam bus terminus to open by March

EASING CONGESTION

Kilambakkam bus terminus to open by March

Broken Chairs, Illegal Parking And Ramshackle Facilities Are Common At Most MTC Bus Depots

Ram Sundaram TNN

21.09.2021

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is likely to throw open a new bus terminus at Kilambakkam for public use by March 2022.

The terminus, which is being constructed for ₹397 crore, has more than a dozen toilet blocks, a waiting area with seats, escalators and can accommodate 245 government and private omni buses at a time. Around 3,000 private vehicles can be parked at in the complex.

Besides mofussil buses, CMDA has created separate bays and a depot for city buses. The MTC has already started operating buses from Kilambakkam and has partially shifted the base from Perungalathur to the new location.

The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), which operates long-distance government buses, will no longer use CMBT, Koyambedu, from next year. Buses to southern districts like Madurai, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari will leave from Kilambakkam.

However, several commuters have said the project has its own pitfalls. People living within the city have to spend more to reach the terminal. The nearest suburban station from Kilambakkam is at least 2 km away. If passengers choose a cab or auto, they will have to pay more.

A senior SETC official said getting down at Kilambakkam, which is 30 km from Koyambedu, and boarding another MTC bus in the wee hours is going to be tedious for many passengers.

The other problem is the delay in expanding Tambaram-Chengalpet highway (NH-45) along which the terminus is located. The NHAI is converting the existing four-lane into six-lane roads.

G Ganesh, a resident-activist from Singaperumalkoil, said, “If they (NHAI) don’t complete it before next March, it is going to chaos here. Already private buses and vans of industries in Oragadam are using NH-45 instead of Bengaluru highway in order to avoid the toll gate at Sriperumbudur. This coupled with more government buses on incomplete roads will make traffic congestion worst”.

Irregular bus services drive Erode schoolgirl to her wit’s end

Irregular bus services drive Erode schoolgirl to her wit’s end

More than 30 students in the village depend on the bus to reach schools. They are forced to walk to school due to shortage of buses.

Published: 18th September 2021 09:02 AM |

The lack of bus services is evident at most of the rural areas.

By Subashini Vijayakumar

Express News Service

ERODE: A class X student in Vallipurathanpalayam tried to kill herself on Thursday allegedly after being told by her father to stop attending school because bus services to the village had not resumed fully post easing of lockdown restrictions.

The girl (15) studied in the government school at Sengodampalayam, which is 6.5 km away from her village and used to travel by bus daily. Since the bus service was irregular, the girl’s father dropped her at school on Wednesday before heading to work in Perundurai. After classes got over for the day at 3.30 pm, she waited for a bus to return home.

Since it got late, she took a bus going towards Perundurai and got off at Vepampalayam. From there, she walked three kilometres to her village. Upon knowing the incident, her father scolded her and told her to discontinue studies at least until bus services resumed. The girl got upset and on Thursday, tried to kill herself. Her parents and neighbours broke open the door of her room and rescued her.

Rattled by the girl’s action, residents of Vallipurathanpalayam appealed to the government to restore the bus services fully for the benefit of students. The village has a middle school and students have to travel to Sengodampalayam, Thindal or Pallipalayam to pursue education.

Two buses were operated between Vallipurathanpalayam and Bhavani through Erode bus stand. “The buses ply through Thindal, Sengodampalayam, Kumalankuttai, Collector Office, GH, PS Park, Erode bus stand. When there were two buses, the services were regular between 7am and 9pm. However, following the lockdown, only one bus is operated and the evening service has been irregular,” Sekar (name changed), a resident of the village, said.

More than 30 students in the village depend on the bus to reach schools. They are forced to walk to school due to shortage of buses. If the situation persisted, girls would be forced to dropout, they added. The residents said they urged the transport department to restore buses as schools had reopened, but there was no action.

Upon knowing the girl’s action, District Collector H Krishnanunni reportedly assured that bus services to the village would be restored.

New Nungambakkam bridge nears completion

New Nungambakkam bridge nears completion

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:14.09.2021

Construction of the foot overbridge across the Nungambakkam subway to the burial ground service road near Loyola College is nearing completion.

The ₹5 crore project to build the 24-metre-long and five-metrewide bridge was awarded in December 2020 by the Greater Chennai Corporation and is to be completed by February 2022. “The steel girders have been assembled and the work will be completed soon,” said an official.

Motorists going from Anna Nagar to Nungambakkam and T Nagar face huge traffic jams at the subway entrance and at the Loyola College junction because commuters who get down at the Nungambakkam railway station usually cross the road at these points. The bus stands opposite Loyola college connects rail passengers to the rest of the city.

“We just wanted to give the railway passengers an easy way to cross the road. Right now, there is no median on Nelson Manickam Road, but once the foot overbridge is constructed we will build one to stop jaywalking. The burial ground compound wall has been shifted as well,” said chief engineer, Rajendiran, in charge of roads and bridges.

MUCH NEEDED: The foot overbridge, being built at ₹5 crore cost, will help commuters exiting the Nungambakkam railway station

Maruti recalls 1.8 lakh cars sold from 2018 to ’20 for faulty unit

REPLACEMENT TO BEGIN FROM NOV

Maruti recalls 1.8 lakh cars sold from 2018 to ’20 for faulty unit

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:04.09.2021

Maruti Suzuki on Friday announced a recall of as many as 1.8 lakh cars sold between May 4, 2018, and October 27, 2020, to replace a faulty motor generator unit. The cars being recalled are certain petrol variants of Ciaz sedan, Ertiga utility vehicle, and SUVs Vitara Brezza, SCross and XL6.

Maruti said that the replacement of the affected part shall begin from the first week of November. “Till then, customers are requested to avoid driving in water-logged areas and direct water spray on electrical/electronic parts in vehicle.” The change of faulty parts will be undertaken free of cost, the company said, adding that customers will receive a communication from dealerships regarding the exercise.

“Recall campaigns are undertaken globally to rectify faults that may be potential safety defects. In the interest of customers, Maruti has decided to voluntarily recall the affected vehicles for inspection/replacement of motor generator unit, free of cost,” the company said.

Announcing recalls must for auto companies: Government

It added, “Affected vehicle owners would be receiving a communication from Maruti authorised workshops.”

The company said that customers of suspected vehicles can also visit the ‘Imp Customer Info’ section on the company websites www.marutisuzuki.com (for Ertiga and Vitara Brezza) or www.nexaexperience.com(for Ciaz, XL6 and S-Cross) and fill in their vehicle’s chassis number to check if their vehicle needs any attention.

While previously it was voluntary, the government has now made announcement of recalls mandatory for vehicle manufacturers in case they notice defects that are generic in nature.

Penalties have also been stipulated with regards to the exercise. Previously, there used to be instances where vehicle companies would avoid calling out generic defects, fearing impact on the branding.

3-member expert panel to look into flyover accident

3-member expert panel to look into flyover accident

Chennai:02.09.2021

The National Highways Authority of India has set up a three-member committee comprising experts from the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, the National Transport Planning and Research Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, and an independent expert to analyse the reasons for the accident at an under-construction flyover in Madurai that claimed the life of a guest worker.

The state government on Wednesday announced a solatium of ₹5 lakh to the family of N Akash Singh of Uttar Pradesh, who was killed in the accident on Saturday.

Three girders, each 35m long, under construction as part of four-laning of Madurai-Chettikulam section of NH-785, collapsed on Saturday. As per preliminary report, the accident was due to jack failure while fixing the bearing. The NHAI has appointed Alok Bhoumik, its advisor (technical), to assist the committee, an order said.

Responding to a special calling attention motion on the accident, state highways minister E V Velu said the negligence of the contractor was responsible for the accident that caused the death and injured another worker. “The Tallakulam police registered a case against the contract firm under Sections 287 (negligent conduct with respect to machinery) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC,” the minister said. TNN

NHAI hikes fee by 4% to 10% at 21 TN toll plazas

NHAI hikes fee by 4% to 10% at 21 TN toll plazas

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:02.09.2021

The hike in user fee rate at 21 toll plazas in Tamil Nadu starting Wednesday could lead to rise in prices of essential commodities, say transporters, who opposed the fee hike amid the sharp spike in diesel prices.

While tolls in Chennai are being removed, road travel along southern and western districts of Tamil Nadu is set to be costlier with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) increasing toll fee by 4% to10 %.

At the 21 booths — majority of which are located on Chennai-Madurai (NH 45) and Chennai-Salem (NH 79) highway stretches — cars and trucks will have to cough up between ₹5 to ₹50 extra per trip.

The hike will also be implemented along Trichy-Dindigul-Karur bypass roads, Madurai-Thoothukudi highway and plazas in Dharmapuri and Namakkal districts.

C Dhanraj, secretary of State Lorry Owners’ Federation said, “We requested the Union government to stop toll collection at least for the next six months because of the loss incurred during the lockdown. They have once again failed us. (A hike of) ₹5 to ₹15 per trip may seem like a small amount, but (it is an additional) ₹12,000 every month (for Chennai-Salem trips) and much more for interstate commute”.

The state government too let transporters down by failing to reduce diesel prices, he said. Only petrol prices were reduced. So, a toll fee hike coupled with the increase in fuel rates has reduced the profit margin of truckers. Beyond a point, truckers will be forced to increase operating rates and subsequently, the public will suffer, Dhanraj added.

Wholesale traders from Chennai say the increase in transportation cost has had a cascading effect on wholesale price of vegetables, fruits and flowers in the city and fear that the situation may worsen in the coming days. Chennai largely depends on Oddanchatram, Pollachi markets in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala for supply of tomato, onion, brinjal, drumstick and ladies finger. Besides essential commodities, toll fees can also affect transportation of raw materials and finished products to and from industries across the state.

(A hike of) ₹5 to ₹15 per trip may seem like a small amount, but it is an additional ₹12,000 every month (for Chennai-Salem trips)

C DHANRAJ

Secretary, State Lorry Owners’ Federation

Passengers bite TNSTC bus driver’s thumb, nabbed

Passengers bite TNSTC bus driver’s thumb, nabbed

A TNSTC bus driver’s refusal to stop the vehicle for two passengers almost cost him his thumb on Thursday noon. The ‘angry’ travellers were arrested on Friday

Published: 29th August 2021 05:27 AM |

By Express News Service

RAMANATHAPURAM: A TNSTC bus driver’s refusal to stop the vehicle for two passengers almost cost him his thumb on Thursday noon. The ‘angry’ travellers were arrested on Friday

According to police, 48-year-old R Thangam drives the TNSTC bus plying on the Tiruppur - Rameswaram route. When he was on duty, two passengers namely A Mari (31) and A Manikandan (28), both from Servaikarai, demanded to stop the vehicle at Servaikarai Oorani bus stop. Stating that the bus stop was not a permitted stoppage, the driver refused to hit the brakes, the police stated.

A verbal duel broke out among the two passengers and the driver. The two men allegedly bit the fingers of the driver. Thangam, who injured his right thumb, was admitted to Government Ramanathapuram District Headquarters Hospital.

தொடர்ந்து 3 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை சொந்த ஊர்களுக்கு மக்கள் பயணம்: 300 சிறப்பு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கம்

தொடர்ந்து 3 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை சொந்த ஊர்களுக்கு மக்கள் பயணம்: 300 சிறப்பு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கம்

சென்னை

தொடர்ந்து 3 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை வருவதால், சென்னையில் இருந்துமக்கள் நேற்று சொந்த ஊர்களுக்கு புறப்பட்டுச் சென்றனர். பயணிகளின் வசதிக்காக சென்னையில் இருந்து 300-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட சிறப்பு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட்டன.

சனி, ஞாயிறு மற்றும் கிருஷ்ண ஜெயந்தி (திங்கள்) என தொடர்ந்து 3 நாட்கள் விடுமுறை வருகிறது. இதனால், சென்னையில் இருந்துஆயிரக்கணக்கான மக்கள் நேற்றுமாலை முதல் சொந்த ஊர்களுக்கு புறப்பட்டுச் சென்றனர். கோயம்பேடு பேருந்து நிலையம், சென்ட்ரல், எழும்பூர் ரயில் நிலையங்களில் கூட்டம் அதிகமாக இருந்தது. பயணிகளின் வசதிக்காக கோயம்பேடு, தாம்பரம் பேருந்து நிலையங்களில் இருந்து வழக்கமாக இயக்கப்படும் பேருந்துகளோடு சிறப்பு பேருந்துகளும் கூடுதலாக இயக்கப்பட்டன. அதேபோல் ஆம்னி பேருந்து நிலையங்களில் இருந்தும் வழக்கத்தைவிட கூடுதல் பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட்டன.

இதுதொடர்பாக அரசு போக்குவரத்துக் கழக உயர் அதிகாரிகள் கூறும்போது, ‘‘தொடர் விடுமுறையால் நேற்று மாலை முதல் பயணிகளின் வருகைக்கு ஏற்ப சிறப்பு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்பட்டன. கோயம்பேட்டில் இருந்து பல்வேறுஊர்களுக்கு 300-க்கும் மேற்பட்டசிறப்பு பேருந்துகளை இயக்கினோம். விடுமுறை முடிந்து மக்கள்சென்னைக்கு திரும்ப வசதியாக போதிய அளவில் சிறப்பு பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படும்’’ என்றனர்.

Thiruporur bypass to be ready by January

Thiruporur bypass to be ready by January

After acquiring the land, it may take at least six months for completing the works, according to official sources.

Published: 23rd August 2021 03:25 AM |

For representational purposes

By B Anbuselvan

Express News Service

CHENNAI: After a prolonged delay, one of the two bypasses proposed along Old Mahabalipuram Road at Thiruporur will finally be completed by January, said a senior official from Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC).

This will help motorists heading towards Puducherry and Mamallapuram enter ERC by skipping the congested Thiruporur Junction. Meanwhile, another bypass proposed at Kelambakkam is facing hurdles as a portion of road passes through a saltpan. After acquiring the land, it may take at least six months for completing the works, according to official sources.

As part of widening of 25-km IT Expressway (Rajiv Gandhi Salai) from Siruseri to Mamallapuram into six-lane, two six-lane bypasses were proposed at Thiruporur and Kelambakkam under Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme (TNIPP) phase II.

In the first stage, TNRDC took up construction of two bypasses in 2018 at a cost of Rs 247 crore and planned to complete it by 2020. However, works got delayed due land acquisition issues and lockdown.

The 7.45-km long Thiruporur bypass proposes to connect Kalavakkam village with Thandalam, skipping Thiruporur junction.

To facilitate smooth passage of locals, a pedestrian underpass will be built at Hindustan Engineering College in Pudur. Similarly, Kelambakkam bypass road which starts at Pudur in OMR and ends at Thaiyur village, will cover the 4.67-km distance without entering Kelambakkam.

“As per the Centre’s guidelines, we can commence construction works only after remitting the land acquisition cost. Recently, the State government released `95 crore for the project. The saltpan will be acquired after approval from the salt commissioner, and it may take at least six months for completion of road works,” said the official.

S Kumaravel, a resident of Kelambakkam said, “Even during lockdown, Kelambakkam and Thiruporur Junctions were facing huge traffic snarls. Taking advantages of the lockdown, several long-pending projects were completed in other States, but the six laning of OMR which has been delayed for more than 10 years, is still moving at a snail’s pace.” As per the traffic survey in 2017, vehicle volume in OMR was 75,000 a day and is projected to reach one lakh over the next three to five years.

Velachery bus terminus in bad shape

Velachery bus terminus in bad shape

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.08.2021

The bus terminus at Velachery, frequented by thousands of commuters every day, lacks basic amenities and ongoing flyover work has worsened the waiting area too.

Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) operates buses along a dozen important routes from Velachery to other areas in the city like Ambattur (D70), Perambur (29N) and Thiruporur (568B). But the bus terminus is able to accommodate only four buses at a time. Therefore, passengers are forced to wait for buses under extreme heat or rain.

Some of them wait under treesa few yards away, and run when the buses reach the terminus. There are sign boards showing list of buses which are expected to arrive or depart from the terminus. The public address system too is defunct most of the times, complain regular MTC bus commuters.

Senior citizens and students, who arrive at the terminus, also don't have shelters while they wait in long queues to get concessional or free passes renewed. In the opposite side (towards Tambaram), the bus stand has been completely dismantled.

S Kumara Raja from the Federation of Velachery Welfare Association said that the ideal location to shift the bus terminus would be the Mass Rapid Transit System premises (located diagonally opposite to the existing terminus location) so that people getting down from the local train can easily board buses to their respective areas or vice-versa.

If the discussion between the Union and state governments is not fetching any results, MTC should start looking at other possibilities. There is a 1.75-acre vacant plot, which belongs to Dhandeeswarar temple, on Taramani Road. Right now, private omni buses are using this facility. MTC can pay or take this land for lease to construct a terminus, he added.

S Vignesh of Madipakkam said even the approach roads towards the terminus are lying battered for years and traffic congestion worsens every day during peak hours.

An MTC official in response said the highways department, which is constructing the flyover, has promised to finish it by December end and only then a decision can be taken whether to develop the terminus at the existing location or to shifting to a new location.

Driving through Royapettah clock tower junction? Pray

Driving through Royapettah clock tower junction? Pray

Ayyappan.V@timesgroup.com

Chennai:13.08.2021

If you are stuck in the traffic at Royapettah clock tower junction in the evenings, be ready to wait endlessly as vehicular movement in the stretch is chaotic and often unregulated.

At 6.45pm on Thursday, at least ten two-wheeler riders were seen jumping the signal and driving in different directions in a span of around five minutes.

The junction appears gridlocked as traffic from Bharati Salai is allowed into General Patters Road. This set of vehicles intersect with those from Whites Road to Bharati Salai and vehicles from GH side to Bharati Salai. This criss-crossing traffic does not move in accordance with the traffic signals. The problem started soon after authorities opened General Patters Road for two-way traffic almost two years ago, said a regular commuter on the stretch.

Motorists, especially twowheelers, routinely jump signals even though a traffic police post is located close by. Signal violations are not penalised.

Mohammed K, who runs a shop near the junction, said that there are no traffic blocks but people violate the red signals and drive into different streets often coming close to collision. “They just drive away,” he said. The police sometimes crack down on parking and often tow away motorcycles and regulate the autorickshaws, he added.

Darshan V, a local resident, said, “You will need to drive carefully to prevent from getting hit by a two-wheeler. They appear to be coming from every direction. There is no order at all.”

The intersection that connects traffic from Mandaveli to Anna Salai and Royapettah and Beach and vice versa gets congested on weekends.

A traffic policeman on duty said that the two-way system is not the problem. “The traffic signal pattern that regulates flow of vehicles from each road needs to be changed. This will prevent motorists from trying to drive across. This will be tried out in the coming days.”