Commuters taken for a ride on food and water

Chennai: Lakhs of passengers from all walks of life use the biggest bus terminus at CMBT for boarding every day. They are held at ransom by vendors at the terminus who sell foods items at exorbitant prices without issuing bills.

Labour department officials have assured of taking stern action those vendors resorting to such practices, while Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), which maintains the shops, is also gearing up to keep a tab on the violators.

Sources said that CMBT premises has over 200 shops which sell food, water bottles and other requirements for the convenience of bus passengers. However, it would be shocking if one happens to ask for the price to be paid for food items.

A piece of Vada is priced Rs 18 and a plate of puris is Rs 60. However, such eateries do not have boards detailing the prices nor do the vendors provide a bill.

“The sad fact is that CMBT records a large number of foodstalls every day and in such condition, many would come to the terminus thinking that they can eat in the bus stand before boarding buses. However, overpriced foods force many to go outside for buying their food,” said an owner of a tea stall located outside CMBT.

Meanwhile, passengers urge the government to establish an ‘Amma canteen’ inside the premises of CMBT. “It seems the officials concerned have privatised CMBT premises. If we ask for a bill for a food item, the vendors stress that they would not be able to do so. Further, water bottles are sold at more than the MRP. It is the high time, officials look into these issues, as passengers cannot afford to buy foods and other commodities here,” said K Prabhakaran, a private firm employee.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Shanmugavel, Superintending Engineer, CMDA (CMBT) said that they were intermittently instructing the vendors to put boards containing details like food items and their prices.

“We will keep inspecting such shops and action will be taken against violators,” the SE said, adding that they had earlier inspected some shops and imposed fine on vendors, who did not conform to the guidelines.

Similarly, Dr R. Nanthagopal, Commissioner of Labour told DC that public could easily make complaints against overpricing of foods and other commodities.

“Since everyone has smart phones nowadays, there is an option in which LMCTS (Legal Metrology Complaint Tracking System) should be downloaded, after which complainants should fill details like shop name, place and type of complaints,” he said, adding that a team from labour department would rush to the spot and based on the complaint, they can even seal the shops for violating rules.