Commuters left in the lurch at Hastinapuram bus terminus

The bus terminus was constructed nearly five decades ago in Balaji Nagar along the GST Road. During the early days, only one bus was being operated from the terminus. Over the years, the numbers went up. At present, 22 buses to T Nagar, Polichalur, Tiruvanmiyur, Chengalpattu, and Guduvanchery are operated from Hastinapuram terminus from 4.30 am till 10.30 pm every day.

However, though it is one of the oldest facilities, it lacked proper shelter for the commuters, toilets, adequate lighting for the commuters, alleged those who travel from here regularly. The absence of a shelter forces them to suffer in the summer sun and get drenched during rains, they said, adding that even the pathway is damaged.

“We had requested many officials, including those at the Pallavaram municipality, to take steps to improve the facility. But there has not been any response so far,” complained V Ramesh from the locality who is regular commuter.

According local body officials, the bus shelter could not be adequately developed as it was caught in a legal tangle. “The land on which the bus terminus has been built is under an ownership dispute and there is a case pending at the courts,” an official said.

When contacted, Pallavaram municipal engineer R Ravichandran said, “We cannot do any development work in the bus stop as the case being heard by the court. However, if any organisations come forward to improve the bus terminus with basic facilities, we will welcome them.”