While welcoming the district administration’s move to shift operations of Cuddalore route buses to the Integrated Bus Terminus at Panjapur, activists have called for shifting of the originating point of other moffusil buses to fully ease the traffic congestion around Chathiram Bus Stand in the city.

Following widespread public complaints of severe congestion around the bus stand in the city, Collector Pratik Tayal, along with senior officials, inspected the area and subsequently held a discussion on ways to ease the congestion. Following this, the Collector announced that all buses on Cuddalore route would operate from the Integrated Bus Terminus from June 21 from Platform 6

The buses would go via Central and Chathiram Bus stands in the city, he said in a press release.

However, activists say the shifting of Cuddalore route buses alone would have a limited impact.

According to sources, only about 50 singles are operated to Cuddalore and that too mostly by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Villupuram. So far, there have been no discussion on shifting operations of the other moffusil buses.

While welcoming the move, P. Ayyarappan, president, Road Users Welfare Association, however, said that other mofussil buses on Perambalur, Ariyalur and Jayamkondam too should be operated from the Integrated Bus Stand or at least the Central Bus Stand. “When you call it an integrated bus terminus, ideally buses operating to all destinations should originate from there,” he observed.

The buses can also go via the Central and Chathiram Bus stands and it would be welcomed by commuters too, he added.

N. Saravanan, a road safety activist, felt that mofussil buses operating from Chathiram Bus Stand to Kallakurichi, Athur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Jayamkondam, Chidambaram and other places can be operated from the Central Bus Stand, which is now free, rather than the Integrated Bus Stand.

“The place from where the buses are operated around the Chathiram Bus Stand do not have adequate shelters and other amenities such as toilets. Commuters are exposed to sun and rain. The Central Bus Stand has bus bays with shelters, besides proper toilets. They can be put to good use, by operating these buses from there,” Mr.Saravanan suggested.

Mr .Ayyarappan also emphasised the need for clearing the platform shops and preventing roadside parking of vehicles in front of commercial establishments around the Chathiram Bus Stand to streamline the traffic flow.