Chennai: State highways dept is readying a new bus stop in front of the Alandur metro station on GST Road, but without making alternative arrangements for commuters. They are forced to wait on the road with no shade overhead now.The Asar Khana bus stop is where thousands of people arriving on SETC and private buses from southern districts get down to board MTC buses or metro trains to reach home. Many office-goers also use the stop.
The old bus stop had a steel roof and a single row of seats. Recently, MSME minister and Alandur MLA T M Anbarasan sanctioned 1.5 crore to renovate the bus stop, providing more seats and toilet facilities. The highways dept has brought down the old structure to build the new one. “Schoolchildren, senior citizens and women are made to wait under the sun, while the contractors of the bus shelter turn a blind eye to their plight. They constructed a resting place for the workers, but passengers’ convenience was ignored,” said S Parthiban of Adambakkam, who boards a bus to work from the stop.Highways dept officials said they would soon set up a temporary shelter a few metres away. The new bus shelter will be completed by March with 75 seats and toilets. “The shape of the bus shelter has been planned aesthetically since it is an important bus stop,” added the official.
