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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
6L people used Kilambakkam bus terminus in five days: Govt
Chennai: Amid backlash over delays and crowding at the Kilambakkam bus terminus during the Bakrid and muhurtham weekend rush, state govt claimed that more than 6 lakh passengers were transported in 11,026 special and regular buses from June 4 to 8. State transport officials said 3,028 buses, including 936 specials, operated out of Chennai on June 7 alone, ferrying 1.66 lakh passengers. This comes days after hundreds of stranded passengers staged a road roko on NH-45 outside Kilambakkam late on Wednesday night, blocking traffic for nearly four hours. With complaints mounting, State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) has now blamed long-running flyover work on the GST Road stretch between Maduranthakam and Melmaruvathur for the cascading delays. SETC managing director R Mohan, in a letter to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), urged urgent widening of the single-lane service road that has become a choke point for buses arriving from southern districts. The letter notes that vehicles get trapped for up to 1.5km in this bottleneck, losing 45 minutes to 1 hour in the process. "During holidays, the situation worsens with heavy vehicles slowed by pothole-ridden service roads," it said. NHAI officials said they have already provided a two-lane service road but blamed the narrowed usable width on vehicles parked by residents and TNSTC buses halting at roadside eateries. They assured that two underpasses being built at Padalam and Uthiramerur would ease congestion within 8-9 months. Meanwhile, the crowding has triggered sharp political responses. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed DMK govt for opening Kilambakkam without proper planning. "People are still suffering one and a half years after the new terminus opened. The govt couldn't even ensure basic bus availability," he said. TVK's Nirmal Kumar also criticised the "hurried opening" of the terminus, calling it a failure in transport connectivity. "From day 1, passengers have struggled to even reach Kilambakkam. On June 4, people waited with infants for hours, and the govt blamed festival restrictions to mask its mismanagement," he said.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
No arch, no job: Tamil Nadu transport department says no driver jobs for flat-footed candidates, cites reasons
As bus-related road accidents rise in Tamil Nadu , the state transport department has decided to take a closer look, at the driver's feet. According to a TOI report, drivers with flat feet (a condition called pes planus) will now be disqualified from applying to drive for any of the state's eight transport corporations. There are currently 3,274 driver vacancies, including 364 in Chennai's Metropolitan Transport Corporation ( MTC ) and 318 in the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC). Drivers in these services often work long shifts and take on overnight journeys. People with flat feet lack an arch in the foot, meaning the entire sole touches the ground. This leads to overpronation, where the ankle rolls inwards too much, affecting how the legs align. Doctors from medical boards responsible for certifying drivers say that flat-footed individuals have slower reaction times while braking. Constant use of pedals in such cases causes strain to travel up to the knees, hips and lower back, as drivers shift their posture to avoid discomfort. This ongoing stress, doctors say, may result in joint pain and slower reflexes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo 'Over time, the way the foot works with the pedal changes, especially during long driving hours or when sudden braking is needed,' said orthopaedic doctor Dr D Siddharth, as quoted by TOI. Professional drivers, unlike casual ones, need strong arch support for fast and accurate footwork across hours. Live Events This is a serious concern for MTC and SETC, where drivers rely on pedal control for extended periods. 'If a driver has flat feet, their control and quick reaction can be affected,' said a senior official from the Institute of Road Transport, which helped draft the new rules. Doctors say special shoe inserts called orthotics can help improve response time and reduce tiredness, but there's no official policy yet. While flat feet affect about 3% of adults in Tamil Nadu, more so in those with obesity, no other Indian state has added it as a reason to reject driver candidates. 'This is the first time they're considering biomechanics while hiring,' said S D Kamaraj of the TN Stop Corruption Federation. 'But in reality, such checks are often skipped. Let's hope the process is fair and transparent this time.' Inputs from TOI
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- New Indian Express
SETC buses going via ECR may be moved to Anna Nagar West depot from CMBT
CHENNAI: As part of efforts to reduce congestion in the city by phasing out the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) in Koyambedu, officials from Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and transport department are planning to relocate long-distance mofussil and SETC buses operating via East Coast Road (ECR) to the Anna Nagar West depot. At present, the CMBT operates 592 buses, with 400 scheduled to be moved to Kuthambakkam. Officials added that the remaining 142 mofussil buses and 50 SETC buses will also need to be relocated to a new facility to fully phase out the CMBT. The CMBT, which was built in 2002 at a cost of Rs 102 crore, spans 37 acres of land and has been operational for over two decades. Official sources attached to CMDA and transport department told TNIE that the new Kuthambakkam bus terminus, situated near Thirumazhisai along the Chennai-Bengaluru bypass, is nearing completion. Built at a cost of `427 crore, it is expected to be inaugurated by August or September. Once operational, TNSTC and SETC buses serving destinations such as Vellore, Krishnagiri, Walajah, Hosur, Tirupattur, and Bengaluru will be shifted from CMBT to the Kuthambakkam facility. This will leave CMBT with only a limited number of services to Puducherry, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and a few other locations. These remaining buses are also slated for relocation, with the Anna Nagar West depot being a key option under consideration, said an official.
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu announces special buses, trains for Girivalam
CHENNAI: With lakhs of devotees from various parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh expected to take part in the Girivalam during the Tamil month of Chithirai, the Southern Railway and the state transport department has decided to operate special trains and buses respectively to Tiruvannamalai on May 11 and 12. The state transport department announced that a total of 5,932 special buses would be operated from Chennai and other parts of the state to Tiruvannamalai ahead of Chithirai Pournami. According to an official statement, 1,156 special buses will depart from KCBT, Kilambakkam and 150 from Madhavaram (MMBT) on May 11. On May 12, 966 buses from KCBT and 150 from MMBT will run to Tiruvannamalai. Furthermore, 1,940 special buses from other parts of the state will operate on May 11, followed by 1,530 on May 12. The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) will also run 40 sleeper-cum-seater buses to Tiruvannamalai on both days. Regarding trains, an official note stated that the Villupuram-Tiruvannamalai unreserved special train will depart from Villupuram at 9.25 am and 9.15 pm on May 11 and 12 (Saturday and Sunday), and reach Tiruvannamalai at 11 am and 10.45 pm, respectively. For the return journey, the Tiruvannamalai-Villupuram unreserved special train will depart from Tiruvannamalai at 12.40 pm on both days, arriving in Villupuram at 2.15 pm. Moreover, another Tiruvannamalai-Villupuram unreserved special train will leave Tiruvannamalai at 3.30 am on May 12 and 13 (Sunday and Monday), reaching Villupuram by 5 am.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
SETC luxury buses to ease long-distance rides
CHENNAI: Long-distance travellers bound for destinations like Nagercoil or Tirunelveli, or cities such as Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram in neighbouring states, will soon be able to travel with enhanced comfort at an affordable price in government-run luxury buses from brands like Volvo, Benz, and Eicher. For the first time, the State Express Transport Corpoation (SETC) is set to introduce multi-axle luxury buses in its fleet. Till now, such high-end buses were predominantly operated by private omni bus services in Tamil Nadu. Taking a cue from neighbouring states – where Karnataka offers 'Airavat Club Class' and Andhra Pradesh runs Volvo buses under names like 'Amaravathi', 'Garuda', and 'Garuda Plus' – Tamil Nadu is preparing to roll out a similar premium service. Official sources from SETC said 20 air-conditioned (AC) multi-axle luxury buses from eligible brands will be purchased. 'Tenders have already been floated for the purchase of these multi-axle buses, which are expected to provide superior travel comfort compared to standard axle models,' said an official. The initiative is aimed at attracting travellers willing to pay a slightly higher fare for enhanced comfort, especially those who typically opt for private buses due to limited train availability or time constraints. 'A section of travellers that can't get train tickets usually turns to private omni buses despite higher fares, preferring comfort and faster travel. This SETC initiative will provide them with a luxurious alternative for trips to places like Bengaluru and Nagercoil,' an official explained. To meet the increasing demand during weekends and festival season, SETC has also decided to hire 20 AC private buses which are expected to be introduced from May-end, added the official. SETC, which serves routes above 300 km, carried around 72,553 passengers a day during the 2024-25 period (up to February). The corporation operates 1,000 scheduled services across 195 routes – 90 interstate and 105 intrastate – using a fleet of 1,080 buses. Additionally, SETC offers a 50% fare discount to frequent travellers. Those making more than five trips a month are eligible for the discount from their sixth trip onwards. Last year, a total of 4,376 travellers benefited from this concession. Last week, the transport department issued tender notices for the procurement of 2,144 buses. This includes 110 non-AC sleeper-cum-seater buses and 10 AC seater buses for SETC. The tenders cover 876 mofussil buses for six TNSTCs, 297 standard floor buses, and 260 ultra-low floor buses for MTC. Additionally, tenders for the purchase of 745 CNG-powered mofussil and town buses were floated on Wednesday. In total, tenders have been issued for 2,909 buses.
