Hawkers take over Broadway bus terminus

Broadway bus terminus was one of the oldest and largest bus termini in the city from where the mofussil buses to other districts plied until the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) took over. MTC operates buses to almost all the other bus depots in the city from Broadway bus stand.

MTC operates more than 650 services in as many as 70 routes in the city. Broadway bus terminus is busiest in the city as it would look crowded even on weekends.

“The bus stand has a long platform. But the entire platform has been encroached upon by the hawkers selling fruits, flowers and other items. One could not walk freely on the platform due to the vendors,” S Meganathan, a commuter said.

Another passenger, G Arun, said that he would not try to sit on the chairs lest he steps on the ‘shop’. “I prefer to stand at the bus stand rather than picking a fight with the hawkers,” he added.

While the platform has been gobbled up by the hawkers, the entire bus terminus remains unhygienic. Slush around garbage bins inside the terminus suggests the quality of cleaning works and heaps of food and dry waste can be seen at several spots.

However, an official from the Greater Chennai Corporation, which maintains the bus terminus, said that they are cleaning the bus stand every day. “Apart from cleaning the terminus, we are not doing any work.”

The civic official also expressed confusion pertaining to the maintenance of the terminus and said that the Chennai Corporation does not collect tax or rent from the shops functioning inside the terminus.

“Due to the election process, we could not convene vending committee meeting. The vending committee will earmark the vending zone and non-vending zone. If the terminus is decided a non-vending zone, we will act accordingly,” the official said.

When DT Next visited the bus terminus, a woman was sitting outside a public toilet built by the Chennai Corporation and collecting money from users. Earlier, the civic officials had assured that they would ensure the public toilets are free. There was no signboard at the toilet saying that the facility is free for use, too.

Another concern raised by the commuters is the safety of women passengers during the night. “During night hours, miscreants use the facility to drink alcohol. Under the influence of alcohol, they roam the bus terminus creating fear among the women. Police night patrol should be increased to check them,” a passenger urged.