Road users oppose operation of long distance buses from roadside near Chathiram Bus Stand

Operation of long distance buses bound for Ariyalur and a few other northern destinations from near Chathiram Bus Stand in the city has drawn flak from road users. While the operation of 90% of long distance buses has been shifted to the new Integrated Bus Terminus at Panjappur from July, some routes from Tiruchi to Ariyalur, Jayamkondam, Virudhachalam, Chidambaram and other places still run from Chathiram Bus Stand, which basically caters to local buses. Since the bus stand does not have adequate space, a 50-metre stretch of busy road adjacent to the overhead water tank near it is being used as the informal boarding point for the north-bound long distance buses. The practice, which was followed by a few bus crews about 15 years ago, has now become permanent. The bus crews initially chose to halt buses on the roadside. Thereafter, they began to operate buses from there. At present, nearly 65% of the road along the 50-metre-stretch is occupied by the bus crews. At any point of time, three rows of buses, both private and State-run, are seen at the makeshift bus stand between 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. At least 10 buses wait in line to load passengers. All other activities relating to loading and offloading the passengers are also taking place in the area, shrinking the road space. The situation often leads to traffic snarls in the area. The busy road is choked with a large number of buses, cars, auto rickshaws and two-wheelers that come from Karur Bypass to Chathiram Bus Stand, Mela Chinthamani, Srirangam, Thiruvanaikoil and other places. With the vehicles competing with one another to drive past the spot, traffic moves at a snail’s pace. Though the current situation has been prevailing for several months, the road users rue that the stakeholders, mainly public representatives, District Collector, Corporation Commissioner and Police Commissioner, have failed to address the issue. “We are not against the operation of long distance buses from Chathiram Bus Stand. But there should be a designated space for it. If the authorities cannot find a suitable space, the buses bound for northern routes should also be shifted to the new Integrated Bus Terminus,” says P. Ayyarappan, coordinator, Road Users Welfare Trust, Tiruchi. The move will reduce the traffic woes in the area. The vehicular movements continue to rise with many prime marriage halls, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other commercial establishments situated on Tiruchi-Karur road. The issue should not be allowed to continue. A suitable solution should be found immediately and a better traffic management should be in place in the outer ring of the Chathiram Bus Stand area, he adds. Published - December 23, 2025 05:14 pm IST

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