Tamil Nadu: Dilapidated structures leave bus crew worried

CHENNAI: The roof collapse of Porayur depot only marks the beginning of many more accidents to come in the future. Numerous bus terminals in Chennai that are built way back in the 1970s are only repainted and no actual repair works are undertaken, say department sources. “The canteen at the Chromepet bus terminus is in a dilapidated condition and numerous appeals to the department have gone in vain. Similarly, in Ennore the room meant for conductors to sign attendance and show the accounts is in a pathetic condition,” rued a driver at the Chromepet bus depot.

He further added during the monsoon, rainwater enters inside the buildings, making the structures very weak. Similar is the plight of Vadapalani bus terminus where the tank above the washroom is about to crash. Already, the crew at the depot complains about irregular water supply and this would only worsen the condition.

According to the employees, T Nagar bus stand is only being re-painted by the department to show that it is in a good condition. However, the restrooms with cracking walls and broken alcohol bottles were strewn all over make the stay of the crew, a nightmare.  “Most of the fire extinguishers at the depots are expired and most terminuses do not have the equipment to immediately help the victims during a mishap. The civil department of MTC must be tightened,” said K. Anbazhagan, joint-secretary, Nethaji transport Union.

When contacted, an official of MTC stated otherwise and said repair works were undertaken each time a building is painted. However, the reality proves otherwise.