CHENNAI: Over the last few weeks, residents of Avadi have been finding it tough to use public transport. The mushrooming town in neighbouring Tiruvallur district has experienced a dip in the frequency of bus services, and no fast Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains stop here.
Residents claim that the frequency of MTC buses connecting Avadi to Broadway, Mandaveli and Tiruvanmiyur has reduced considerably. “Last year, one could see about four 47D (Avadi-Tiruvanmiyur) buses and buses of the 266 (Avadi-Tambaram) series lined up at the Avadi Bus Terminus. Of late, there are hardly any buses at the terminus. Around noon, they ply cut-services, making it tough for commuters to travel across the city,” said Sathish, a worker at a small-scale industry.
Another commuter, Soundararajan, who runs a wholesale outlet of construction materials, claims he is forced to wait for an hour for a 120 (Avadi-Broadway route) bus. “The frequency of buses has decreased over the last few months,” he added.
Surrounded by villages, Avadi has become an important suburb of Chennai as thousands of people have moved there over the last few decades. There are more than 3.80 lakh voters in Avadi according to data from the Election Commission.
Prabhu, an engineering student from Tiruttani, has to switch trains every day as fast local EMUs do not stop at Avadi, which is dotted with educational institutions. “If I miss a train, I am late for college. It is tough for people — especially students and office-goers, who are forced to switch trains, as fast EMUs to and from Arakkonam don’t stop at Avadi,” he said.
Sathya of Kamaraj Nagar concurred and added that serpentine queues are common at ticket counters during peak hours. He added that additional counters were needed at the Avadi Railway Station.
Meanwhile, MTC sources denied allegations that the number of buses has been reduced. “In fact, we have added more buses,” an official said.
Empty market
A new vegetable market complex with 68 retail outlets remains shut at Avadi despite its inauguration in 2013. However, municipal commissioner hopes it will open after the elections