Vadapalani MTC depot turns bar after sunset, say commuters

Chennai: MTC's Vadapalani bus depot, a key transit point for hundreds of commuters daily, has turned unsafe after sunset. The season ticket counter resembles a mini bar with empty and broken liquor bottles scattered across the premises.Local residents and commuters allege that anti-social elements gather there at night to drink. Despite repeated complaints, neither the police nor MTC (Metropolitan Transport Corporation) have taken action. Every morning, the area is littered with bottles, stench, and filth. "Since this place is left open in the night, they've turned it into a bar. Sometimes liquor bottles are left broken here, " said Sai Pradeep, a college student who frequents the depot.Another commuter, Lakshmi Narayanan, a private company employee, said, "At times, people throw up here, and the place remains filthy till late morning. It's embarrassing and unsafe for women passengers especially during nights.""Every time we see someone drinking, our heart skips a beat. There are no MTC personnel there. Police should patrol such places where public gather. This will be a deterrent for anti-social elements," said Kavya, who works in a small shop in Vadapalani. Residents said that the lack of security and proper maintenance has emboldened miscreants. "The authorities should deploy security or close the space after service hours," said a local shopkeeper. Attempts by TOI to reach Vadapalani depot branch manager Senthil Kumar went unanswered.