There is a little drama that is playing out about a temporary bus shelter in Mylapore.
The past recent weeks, Chennai Metro which woke up very late to the need for shelters for MTC commuters on ‘diversion’ routes, had to erect a shelter at the R K Mutt Road stop in Mylapore. They chose a space on the pavement outside a restaurant, a bakery and a hospital.
But the managers of the businesses raised objections; obviously fearing that the shelter would mask their shops.
So the bus stop was first moved into Venkates Agraharam street.
But when Metro staff began to plan a shelter, a business here objected to it – though the shamiana that Chennai Metro had in mind was to be on a pavement.
The spot was moved a bit and some civil work was started. That too was suspended. Now commuters seek the shade of some trees here as they wait to board their bus.
- Report, photo: Baskar Seshadri
With zero planning, this is what will happen. Before starting Metro work, change of bus routes, bus stops with shelter, relaying condemned roads and making them roadworthy, clearing the hawkers from pedestrian walkway, demolishing extended structures by shopkeepers, ensuring no parking on narrow roads and enforcing one way restrictions. All these should have been done by the Corporation well in advance. Poor administrative machinery is coming to light causing agony to all types of road users.
The temple authorities used to collect Navathaniyam for Panguni festival from us at Kevur Chowk Mundy, Triplicane hereditarily and provide invitations. It enables the devotees enroute posted with information. Even Chintadripet Murugan temple used to stay briefly at noon on 63 Nayanmars festival. But nowadays we alone deliver at the office. Not even a single invitation is provided. Very sorry state of affairs.