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REVIVAL OF PAZHANGANATHAM BUS STAND
THIS IS not a right decision because it defeats the very objective of an integrated bus stand. People coming from different directions are at a loss to know where the buses will terminate i.e. Pazhanganatham or Mattuthavani or Arappalayam. The traffic administrators wrongly believe that only mofussil buses add to congestion.
The congestion and chaos is caused by the encroachers, the innumerable kiosk owners who come up on pavements and the vehicles that park themselves in front of these shops for a break. I feel if the mofussil buses are allowed through Periyar, it will help commuters save time and money as they can get down enroute. Otherwise they have to get down at Pazhanganatham and again take bus or auto to reach their destination.
Barnes Dhanaswami,
1, South Street,
Singarayar Colony,
Madurai-625002.
I WELCOME the revival of Pazhanganatham bus stand provided it is only a temporary measure as told by the authorities and not politically motivated. A temporary bus stand is needed to avoid traffic congestion inside the city, caused by the private buses, which are avoiding the ring road. Let us wait for the court verdict or an out of court settlement so that these buses are forced to use the Ring Road instead of the old Albert Victor Bridge. But at any point these buses should not be allowed to take city roads for safety reasons. Let us all hope and work to bring all the route buses to the unified bus stand in Mattuthavani in near future. When metros like Chennai and Bangalore can work with a single unified bus stand, it is possible here too.
Tariq Samsudeen,
2-608, Nehru Street,
6th Main Road,
Gomathipuram,
Madurai-20.
I AM a student studying in a school at Pazhanganatham. When the bus stand was closed the students were happy that the traffic would decrease and help safe movement of the students. But now with the revival of the bus stand, the problem of congestion will arise again. Worried about the safety measures, parents are afraid of sending us in private buses. The move may satisfy a small section of people but students like me are definitely unhappy. Traffic in school zones should be avoided at all cost for the safety of students.
H. Aishwarya,
597/2, Alli Street,
6th Main, Gomathipuram,
Madurai-20.
THE REVIVAL of the Pazhanganatham bus stand may have brought smiles to the southbound private bus operators but definitely not to the public. In a city, famous for its surging floating population, the revival has only added to the confusion of public particularly among the non-residents of Madurai as they find it difficult now to identify their respective buses. After reaching the integrated bus stand, a passenger feels betrayed when told that private buses proceeding southward will depart from a new bus stand.
Besides, the bus stand offers no basic facilities like toilets, shelters and drinking water for waiting passengers. Besides one finds that very few buses terminate at the bus stand. More often than not, passengers - irrespective of their age and the baggage they carry — are made to disembark at the traffic junction and walk about 400 metres up to the bus stand to catch some other bus.
With the revival, traffic has become uncontrollable. Roads are not broad enough to carry the load. Besides, the buses are forced to stop several times in a day at the TVS Nagar Railway crossing and add to the congestion. Most of the private operators skip using the Ring Road incurring a huge revenue loss for the Corporation. On the whole, I feel, it is an ill-advised decision, improper planning, and hasty implementation by the authorities which will only mess up the situation rather than proving beneficial for commuters.
A. Thirumalai Prakash,
11, Roja Street,
IOC Nagar,
Madurai-18.
THE REVIAL of Pazhanganatham bus stand is totally unwarranted. The private bus operators were insisting on its reopening even when majority of the southbound people had got accustomed travelling to Tirumangalam and catch a bus. By stating that the revival is only temporary, the authorities have also overlooked the basic amenities provided at the bus stand. The revival time also coincides with the repair work in nearby over bridges, which adds to fury of people. The Pazhanganatham junction is narrow and the roads are ill-maintained. On top of it if the railway gate is closed, there is nobody to regulate the traffic. How can we expect order in such chaotic condition. Hence, it is better to close the terminus.
K.Venkataraman,
A/T/2, Porkudam Apartments,
Bypass Road,
Madurai-10.
PAZHANGANATHAM BUS stand was shut down recently and once again reopened for the benefit of those travelling short distance towards South and also some places Westward. Though the bus stand existed for a long time, it was not maintained properly and neither were any basic amenities provided.
When the integrated bus stand at Mattuthavani came into being, the Pazhanganatham was left in a lurch as all buses coming from and going to south and west were prohibited to touch it.
But commuters perhaps found it convenient as it helped in boarding buses for all directions and even long distances.
If Periyar bus stand is in use as usual for buses on specified routes, the Pazhanganatham too can be retained after providing basic amenities
M. Ratnasabapathi,
29, Maruthupandiyar Street,
K.K. Nagar,
Madurai-20.
THE REVIVAL of the Pazhanganatham bus stand -- in the face of stiff opposition from the public and in spite of a resolution passed against it in the Madurai Corporation Council - is a like a step backward.
It goes against the very purpose of the integrated bus stand constructed at a high cost and also the Ring-Road laid with the help of a hefty loan from the World Bank.
Madurai, with its narrow roads and far too many vehicles using them, is notorious for its frequent traffic snarls and congestion, the callousness and indifference of vehicle-users, and the lack of determination of authorities.
The revival of the Pazhanganatham bus stand, without even the basic amenities provided, is bound to make the situation more chaotic and more dangerous.
With the Government not really interested in implementing or maintaining schemes meant for solving the traffic problems and with a weak administration meekly carrying out the orders, the Road/Traffic Safety week, celebrated, year after year, has become a meaningless ritual.
Short-term solutions meant for pleasing the powerful few, ignoring the genuine interests of the public is not an indication of good governance.
D. Samuel Lawrence,
12, Immanuel Street,
Tilak Nagar,
Tiruppulai,
Madurai-14.
THOUGH THE Pazhanganatham bus stand has been revived, passengers are still facing some inconvenience like lack of proper shelter, drinking water and toilet facilities. Waiting period for a city bus is also long.
Adding fuel to the fire are buses taking an hour to reach the Periyar bus stand due to renovation work on Mayor Muthu rail over bridge, a normal route to the Periyar bus stand.
The Madurai Corporation must take proper steps to weed out such difficulties in order to keep the revival of Pazhanganatham bus stand at best and completion.
G. Jeya Sudha,
Madurai.
IT IS a blunder done by the authorities without considering the difficulties it will casue to commuters.
There is no long-term vision in their decision.
Single bus stands at Mattuthavani along with completion of ring road are the need of the day.
I request the authorities, private bus owners, and businessmen to leave behind their selfishness and think on behalf of the "real bus stand users".
P. Sankara Narayanan,
6, First Floor,
West Masi Street,
Madurai-1.
REVIVAL OF Pazhanganatham Bus Stand will lead to overcrowding. To ease load particularly during peak hours, private buses must be made to queue and wait for longer time to help the office goers and students reach their respective places in time and comfortably.
However, the bus stand is devoid of proper shelter, drinking water and other facilities.
Many people after a long wait have to walk all the way from the bus stand to National Highway to reach their destination.
Drivers and Conductors should be penalised for unauthorised parking.
It should be ensured that the buses stop only at the bus stop.
R. Suresh Kannan,
III B.Sc, Physics,
Madura College,
Madurai-11.
REVIVAL OF Pazhanganatham bus stand is a welcome step. The business of area traders will increase.
Further fuel, time and bus fare will reduce for passengers when compared to Mattuthavani Bus terminal.
The revival was long over due and now the authorities should take care to provide all basic facilities soon.
V. Sundaram,
New No.78/Old No.28,
West Pandian Agil Street,
Nethaji Road,
Madurai-1.
THE REOPENING of Pazhanganatham bus stand is giving trouble not only to travelling public but to all local residents and school going children as well. The diversion of traffic to southbound buses via Jaihindpuram and TVS Nagar makes this area more busy and dangerous.
I feel, before diverting the traffic to another route, all roads should be strengthened, cleared of encroachments and maintained well.
But civic authorities tend to fail in their duty making the public suffer.
The Pazhanganatham bus stand should be closed and mofussil buses should not be allowed to enter the city.
They should use the Ring Road to reach Mattuthavani bus stand, the only terminus for all the buses coming from any direction.
S. Sundararajan,
No.42, Main Road,
Kovalan Nagar,
Madurai-3.
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