Hundreds of commuters in Avadi are enduring hardships as they wait for buses at a busy stop near the railway station without any shelter. The bus stop, located in Kamaraj Nagar on New Military Road, approximately 200 meters from the Avadi railway station exit, serves passengers traveling to Poonamallee, Maduravoyal, and Anna Nagar. The shelter at this location was demolished last year during road-widening work carried out by the highways department. Despite the passage of time, no temporary or permanent replacement has been installed, leaving commuters exposed to the elements.
Extreme Heat Adds to Commuter Ordeal
With temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius in recent weeks, waiting for buses has become an ordeal for commuters. Residents report that at least 10 people have fainted in the past week while waiting at the stop. T. Sadagopan, president of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Consumer Welfare Association, stated that the situation reflects poor planning, as several bus shelters removed for road projects have yet to be restored. He also noted that the nearby JAK city bus terminus is in poor condition.
Lack of Signage Compounds Problems
S. Anbu, a resident of Parthipattu, expressed frustration that authorities could have at least provided a temporary shelter while the road work was underway. He pointed out the absence of a proper bus-stop signboard, which has led to buses sometimes bypassing the location because there is no visible marker. “Repeated complaints to the Metropolitan Transport Corporation have produced no result,” he said.
Officials Respond to Concerns
Officials have acknowledged the issue and stated that steps are being taken. MTC officials said that a request, along with a no-objection certificate, would be sent to the Avadi Corporation for the construction of shelters wherever needed. A senior Avadi Corporation official mentioned that six locations have been identified for temporary shelters and that permanent structures will be built after the road-widening work is completed.
