The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Risking their lives during rush hour

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 15, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Risking their lives during rush hour

K. Manikandan

Buses from suburbs are packed and youth travel on the roofs While some ride on the roof for the sheer adventure, others are not aware of the dangers involved

DANGEROUS PERCH: Youth travelling atop a government bus plying between Kancheepuram and Tambaram. They are unaware of the risks posed by overhead electric wires, while the bus goes past the railway level crossing at Vandalur. — Photo: A.Murali tharan

TAMBARAM: Several youth risk their lives everyday by travelling on the roofs of government buses that connect mofussil areas with Chennai and Tambaram.

With the ever-increasing population in the suburban areas, commuting from homes to workplaces and schools in Chennai is a daily ordeal.

Despite the increase in the frequency of buses and electric trains connecting Chengalpattu with Tambaram and Chennai Beach, it is not sufficient, judging by the packed compartments and overflowing buses. Often, youth travel atop the buses to avoid being trapped in the crowd inside. While it is difficult to climb onto the roofs of city buses as they do not have ladders, it is easy in mofussil buses that have ladders on the back to facilitate loading of luggage onto the roof.

College students and young workers employed in factories in and around Tambaram regularly climb onto the bus roofs to travel between Kancheepuram and Koyambedu. There are 70-odd services operating between these places.

The youth usually climb onto the rooftops at Padappai as there is heavy rush here during the morning peak hour. While some buses reach Tambaram via Mudichur, most take the Grand Southern Trunk Road to Tambaram.

Apart from the danger of falling off the roof, there are other risks involved. At Vandalur, at the railway level crossing, the youth risk coming into contact with overhead electric wires. While some youth ride on the roof for the sheer adventure, others are not aware of the dangers involved.

M.A. Harish, a resident of Vandalur and a regular commuter, says the young people are so used to travelling on the roofs of buses that they climb up even when the buses are not jam-packed. He expressed the hope that the Government would step in and make efforts to prevent accidents caused by such negligence and recklessness.

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