Reaching Kilambakkam remains festival-time ordeal

MTC remains sole public transit option as rly station construction drags on; transport officials say addl bus services introduced to handle rush

- B ANBUSELVAN

DESPITE being operational for over a year, commuters continue to face challenges in accessing the Kilambakkam bus terminus, located 29 km from CMBT, especially during festival seasons. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) remains the sole public transport option for reaching the terminus, as construction of the railway station near the terminus building, between Vandalur and Urapakkam, progresses at a snail's pace.

As on Sunday, a total of 6.8 lakh commuters travelled by government buses from Chennai city since January 10.

TNIE's visit to the Kilambakkam bus terminus (KCBT) revealed that congestion between the MTC terminus and the mofussil/SETC bus stand has eased, thanks to the construction of two ramps and two staircases. Entry points to the main concourse area, built by the CMDA after demolishing the wall separating the main bus stand and the MTC terminus, have facilitated smoother commuter movement, eliminating the need for battery-operated cars between these areas.