The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : MV inspectors to check touts at Koyambedu bus terminal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 24, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

MV inspectors to check touts at Koyambedu bus terminal

P. Oppili

The arrangement will continue till January 20

CHENNAI: With surging holiday crowds turning the Koyambedu mofussil bus terminal into a maelstrom of activity, the Transport department has posted motor vehicle inspectors (MVIs) at omni bus terminus to check the activities of touts/brokers. Transport department authorities told The Hindu on Saturday that a 24-hour check has been organised at the terminal. Two MVIs have been posted in each shift and they are monitoring the movement of touts or brokers. The new arrangement would continue till January 20, the authorities said.

According to department sources, since holiday season began, there has been an increased demand for tickets.

Exploiting the situation, a few brokers attract the passengers by offering them seats. But, the fare would be twice the normal rate. A ticket in a luxury coach to Madurai will be twice the normal fare, Rs 250. But those desperate to reach home don't mind paying.

In a joint raid conducted by Transport department officials and the police, eight persons, said to be brokers/touts, were arrested on Friday. They were handed over to the Koyambedu police, who imposed fine on them.

A senior officer said that MVIs visited the terminal earlier in the day and assessed the crowd and the demand for tickets.

K.Yogarajan, Joint Transport Commissioner, Chennai Zone, said members of the public could call him on 98947-91094.

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