Sans facilities for commuters and crew, Saidapet terminus a picture of neglect

Lack of space and poor passenger amenities at Saidapet bus terminus on Anna Salai make the passengers a worried lot.

Located next to the new swanky Saidapet Metro station, the bus terminus which facilitates the transport of thousands of commuters on a daily basis presents a picture of neglect as it neither offers any facilities for the commuters nor the crew.

“This is one of the busiest termini located on the arterial Anna Salai connecting major areas of the city and its suburbs. It always remains crowded during weekdays with office-goers and students thronging the terminus to reach their destination,” said K Jawahar, a resident of Jones Road.

The terminus serves as an important transit point for commuters as it connects important parts of South Chennai. Buses to Old Mahabalipuram Road, Velachery, Adyar, Tiruvanvamiyur, Porur, Poonamallee and Broadway originates from Saidapet.

Unlike other termini located on a vast area, Saidapet terminus is congested and located on side of an arterial road. Many of the commuters use the terminus as an interchange facility to reach their destination in the suburbs. “There are very few seating facilities for those waiting for buses. Even the few seats would be mostly occupied by bus drivers and conductors,” complained Ponnuthai, a commuter.

While the bus bays are strewn with garbage thrown by the people, street vendors also dump waste in the neighbourhood, attracting stray dogs and flies, she said.

The terminus has no public toilets for passengers. “We have been complaining to our management to build a restroom and toilets for the bus crew. We find it very difficult when we arrive at the terminus after travelling bus for hours. At least, there should be one public toilet if not a separate toilet for the crew,” said a bus conductor of 19B which shuttles between Saidapet and Kelambakkam.

In the absence of the toilet, commuters and bus crew could be seen relieving themselves in the corners behind the parked buses. It leads to a foul smell emanating from the stretch throughout the day, lamented the passengers.

“It is difficult for those waiting inside the terminus as those passing by urinate in the open, and also relieve themselves in the corners behind the parked buses,” N Gomathy, another commuter complained.

An MTC official blamed the commuters for being irresponsible and not throwing garbage inside the bins. The official added that they have asked the Chennai Corporation to set up a bio-toilets at the Saidapet terminus.