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Time of India
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Autorickshaw rush at new Trichy bus terminus leaves drivers waiting for hours
Trichy: The newly commissioned Kalaignar Karunanidhi Bus Terminus (KKBT) in Panjapur is facing an unexpected problem — overcrowding by autorickshaws. Around 550 three-wheelers have flooded the premises, far exceeding demand and forcing many drivers to wait 5-6 hours for their first ride of the day. Instead of streamlining fares, the glut of autos and poor passenger demand have led to overcharging in some cases. While 250 autorickshaws from the Central Bus Terminus were allocated space at KKBT's front entrance, another 300 from nearby areas like E Pudur and Crawford were directed to the rear entrance. "Autorickshaw unions from across the city approach us daily for space at KKBT. Though we cannot deny them outright, the overcrowding is making business unsustainable," a senior corporation official said. Authorities have clarified that no auto stands will be permitted within the terminus itself. For now, drivers park in long queues outside both entrances. However, with the terminus well-connected by city buses to Central and Chathiram bus stands, many solo travellers and low-income passengers prefer public transport. Families often disembark at stops like Mannarpuram or TVS Tollgate to reach the city core, further reducing demand for autos at Panjapur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo "I waited six hours for my first ride today. Many inexperienced drivers have also taken slots here and are overcharging passengers," said R Murugesan, an AITUC-backed auto driver. The queue system further delays subsequent rides, prompting some drivers to overcharge by ₹100-₹150 just to make ends meet. Fares to places like the airport or Srirangam can touch ₹600-₹700, depending on passenger urgency. "The district administration should introduce pre-booked auto services through apps or counters to regulate fares. Unscrupulous drivers could tarnish the reputation of the new terminus," warned consumer rights activist H Ghouse Baig. Authorities expect that some autos may leave the terminus voluntarily as poor demand persists. Meanwhile, RTO officials said no formal complaints about fare fleecing have been received so far.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Racecourse Road widened, residents seek speed breakers
Trichy: The state highways department has completed road widening of a narrow portion of the Racecourse Road in Khajamalai in Trichy city at Rs2.1 crore sanctioned under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP). The narrow stretch of Racecourse Road connecting Trichy-Madurai national highway (NH) in Mannarpuram with Khajamalai was widened from seven metres to 10m. The road's width which varied has been standardised now by utilising the existing highways land. While residents have welcomed the widening, they expressed apprehension of overspeeding by two-wheelers and trucks coming to the godowns nearby, and have sought the highways department to install speed breakers to prevent accidents. "College students often walk close to the carriageway to reach bus stops. Residential streets branch off from the Racecourse Road too; new speed breakers are needed to prevent overspeeding," H Ghouse Baig, a resident of Khajamalai said. Highways department officials said that two speed breakers will be developed on the widened road. "More speed breakers require the approval of the city police," the official added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Paver blocks will be provided as a part of the widening project for about 650m in length between the Khajamalai bus stop and SBI branch office, passing through the district collector's camp office and official quarters of judges and public works department officials.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Post election, Trichy corpn begins work to form street vending panel
Trichy: Following the election of six representatives of street vendors to the street vending committee, Trichy corporation has now launched the work to form the committee by nominating and appointing remaining members. The local body is identifying three representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGO) and residents welfare associations (RWA) to form the 15-member committee. As per Tamil Nadu Street Vendors (protection of livelihood and regulation of street vending) Scheme 2015, a committee must be formed with Trichy corporation commissioner as the chairman. The committee will earmark permitted and prohibited zones to streamline the business of street vendors on arterial roads. "We will complete nominations in a week; three members from NGOs and RWAs will be nominated while remaining six members will be officials from govt departments. Administrative work is underway," a senior corporation official said. Since representatives from NGOs and RWAs have a major say in classifying and finalising the permitted and prohibited zones on roads for business, activists said that apolitical members with valid credentials should be appointed to the committee. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo Presently, the local body gets no revenue from the street vendors. A minimum of 250 to maximum of 3,000 per annum can be collected by the committee as user fee. "Apolitical members should be appointed as they would not compromise on the safety of commuters for political and personal gains. The vending committee election was completed after a long struggle, now, we expect solutions," H Ghouse Baig, a consumer rights activist said. There are 6,182 street vendors in five zones. "We expect the committee to be formed within 30 days after the election. We have sought an office to deal with the administrative work, " S Selvi, an elected representative of street vendors, said. Roles of the vending committee: 1) Earmarking permitted place for street vendors (vending zone) 2) Identifying crucial roads where street vendors will be prohibited (no-vending zone) 3) Providing facilities such as restrooms for street vendors and collecting user fees. Approximate annual revenue to the civic body: Rs30 lakh to Rs35 lakh per year Members in vending committee: Total- 15 1) Medical officer - 1 2) Police personnel- 2 3) Corporation officer- 1 4) Representatives of street vendors (elected)- 6 5) A representative of traders association- 1 6) Members from NGO, community-based organisation- 2 7) Members from residents welfare association- 1 8) Chairman (city corporation commissioner)- 1
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Advertisers deface street name boards in Trichy
Trichy: Street name boards installed by Trichy corporation across wards are being exploited by private advertisers to display their posters, leaving the boards permanently mutilated. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While the local body recently sanctioned Rs1 crore to improve existing public signage boards and add new name boards in prominent areas, activists cautioned against making additional investment without regulating violations. The expensive boards have come under rampant vandalism from advertisers of late. To attract passersby, they stick wall posters including for political events on these boards. "Visitors to residential areas are struggling to reach their destinations without help as the street name boards are defaced. Public money is getting wasted, the corporation must penalise advertisers," H Ghouse Baig, Khajamalai-based activist said. The sign boards made of stainless steel poles and reflective blue stickers are erected as part of road relaying projects sanctioned under Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Fund (TURIF) scheme, smart cities mission fund, and corporation's general fund. Each of the 65 wards in five zones has between 20 and 122 prominent streets each. While major roads have larger reflective sign boards, minor streets have smaller versions. Erected at a cost of Rs12,000 to Rs30,000 each, the reflective blue signboards are written with the name of the road or street in white font in both Tamil and English. Officials said the reflective stickers get permanently damaged while clearing the posters. In areas like Thennur and Crawford, the cleaning has rendered the signboards unusable. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We have provided free boards in all zones for advertisers to stick posters, but a section of them intentionally target the street name boards. The commissioner has instructed us to identify and penalise the offenders," a junior engineer said. Residents and activists are sceptical about the Rs1 crore sanctioned in the city corporation budget for improving signage boards meeting its intended purpose. "We will penalise the offenders without any partiality," a senior corporation official said.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Vacant space below Trichy RoBs cries for attention
Trichy: Even as a lack of space is a major challenge for Trichy corporation to implement new infrastructure proposals, the vacant space below road over bridges (RoBs) remain largely ignored and underutilized. As projects such as walking tracks set up below the elevated roads are failing, residents, particularly youngsters have sought the local body to introduce activity-based public space such as artificial play turfs and badminton courts beneath the bridges to improve the city's liveability. Trichy has six major RoBs that have a combined 3.3-km long space below the elevated structures. While space below Palakkarai RoB, Thennur RoB, and Srirangam RoB were used for setting up walking tracks, public toilets, and an open-air gym, the model projects remain underutilised. Meanwhile, since the demand for artificial turfs to play cricket, football, pickleball, and indoor badminton courts are gaining ground among youngsters and families, residents opined that Trichy corporation like Chennai corporation should explore developing the vacant space to benefit the public. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo "People are starting to litter in space below Thiruvanaikoil RoB. While residents from congested neighbourhoods lack proper open space, such spacious areas below flyovers can be developed into play zones to help families spend quality time," said Satheeshkumar Rajendran, a resident of Srirangam. Pointing to Chennai's Kathipara elevated road's urban square, residents said that the local body could monetise the space below the bridges by converting into play turfs as private players charge up to Rs 1,250 per hour for such facilities. In some areas, shops are gradually encroaching space below flyovers to store inventories while some others use it to park vehicles. "Residents are unable to take U-turns below the Trichy junction RoB's bus stand arm as cars and autorickshaws are parked under it," said H Ghouse Baig, a consumer rights activist. "The corporation is planning to create a resting space for gig workers below one of the bridges, preferably below the Trichy junction RoB. Other proposals to utilise the vacant space will be studied and considered for implementation," commissioner V Saravanan told TOI.
