Chennai: The long pending demand of over two years to shift the Rajakilpakkam bus stand 200 hundred metres away from the signal that led to a lot of accidents in the past, has finally been met – not by the Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (MTC), but by the residents themselves.
The Federation of Rajakilpakkam Residents Welfare Association (FRRWA) – an umbrella association, built the new shelter at a cost of Rs 85,000.
It has been quite some time since the commuters have been requesting to shift the bus stop near the junction and move it inside to avoid traffic snarls.
“For over two years, we ran from pillar to post asking the department to shift the bus stop. We have witnessed several fatal accidents when a motorist rams into an MTC bus at the turning where the bus stop was previously situated,” said D. Suresh Kumar from FRRWA adding that buses and vehicles choked the road leaving no space for pedestrians.
This year, after Selaiyur Assisstant Commissioner Krishnamoorthi gave a nod to the new bus stop and got approvals from various departments, the facility was constructed and inaugurated earlier this month.
Commuters said this had an immediate effect and the accidents have come down considerably this month.
“Earlier, at least four accidents happen in a week. Since the bus stop shifted, there have not been any,” said K. Karthika, a resident. Though MTC officials have not acknowledged the facility, government buses halt in the new bus stop.
