Temporary arrangements made for Broadway, Vallalar Nagar bus terminals during major renovations
The two alternative sites were chosen to ease congestion and facilitate smooth travel until construction is completed
MTC buses (File)
CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) have identified alternative sites to operate Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) services while redevelopment works are taken up at the Broadway and Vallalar Nagar bus termini.
Two locations — near Clive Battery in Royapuram and at Island Grounds — have been selected as temporary facilities for buses that currently operate from the Broadway terminus, which is being rebuilt at an estimated cost of Rs 870 crore with modern amenities.
For Vallalar Nagar, one acre of land opposite the Corporation’s Zone 5 office and 1.5 acres of land owned by TANSI will be utilised in two divisions to ensure uninterrupted bus services during the upgrade. HR&CE Minister and CMDA chairperson PK Sekarbabu said that temporary arrangements were being created to avoid inconveniencing commuters. “Over 800 buses have been operated from the Broadway terminus every day for over 75 years. It’s now being redeveloped into a modern facility in line with the CM’s assurance to the people. Demolition of the existing structures has already begun,” he said.
The two alternative sites were chosen to ease congestion and facilitate smooth travel until construction is completed. At Vallalar Nagar, where nearly 400 buses are operated daily, work will be taken up under CMDA’s North Chennai Development Project at an outlay of Rs 10 crore. Sekarbabu inspected the temporary sites along with senior officials and said the new arrangements would become functional within a month. “Preparatory works will be taken up on a war footing and final approval will be sought from the CM. All facilities required for passengers will be ensured,” he added.
Mayor R Priya, Royapuram MLA Idream R Murthy, Corporation Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran, CMDA Member Secretary K Prakash, MTC Managing Director T Prabhushankar, and other officials from transport, police, water resources, public works, tourism, electricity and Metro Water board participated in the review meeting.
