Few links to core Chennai from Alandur

M Gunasekaran gets the blues every morning not just because he has to go to work but also because he has to walk one and a half kilome tres from his house in Alandur to GST Road to catch a bus to his office in Koyambedu. “It's either trek the distance or take an auto whose driver will argue with you,“ said the resident of Jeevan Nagar.
Gunasekaran's complaint is one you'll hear often from residents of Alandur, Adambakkam and surrounding areas.Last mile connectivity remains a hurdle for the fast-growing neighbourhood. Infrequent and insufficient bus services and lack of bus shelters is a problem. Residents said more routes should be added to connect them to Koyambedu and Central. A large number of students travel from Adambakkam to Tambaram, where schools and colleges are located.
Only one mini bus operates within Nanganallur and residents said more mini services were required to Madipakkam, Medavakkam, Ulagaram and other suburbs. A legal wrangle has stalled MRTS's extension, which could have eased commuters' problems. “When so much money was spent on MRTS, planners should have thought about emerging suburbs and included Alandur as a destination since Velachery is not too far from it,“ said M Sekar a resident of Adambakkam.
The once sleepy suburb is now bustling. A number of pensioners have moved in attracted by the relatively lower land cost. Budget apartments are also available in large numbers. Eight schools and various places of worship add to the buzz in the locality. Though there are not many high rise buildings in Alandur, row houses, two-storey buildings and five-floor apartment blocks interspersed with shops and commercial establishments create a busy landscape.
M A Venkatesan, a retired government employee and member of Jeevan Nagar Assocation, said the immediate need was introduction of buses to Koyamebedu via Vadapalani from Alandur. The buses should stop on either side of Thillaiganga Nagar subway , Jeevan Nagar, Bhuvaneswari temple and Adambakkam railway station, he said.
Venkatesan said, “When we moved here, the locality was deserted with only a few houses. We were scared to step out after 6pm but now the area is bustling with activity after midnight. Alandur has grown fast and is bursting at the seams.“ Many residents said Alandur is yet to benefit from being added to the corporation limits in 2011.
MTC officials said 38 buses operate from Alandur to various parts of the city and 114 buses operate via GST Road in Adambakkam to a number of destinations in the city. The department is looking into residents' demands and buses will be introduced shortly , officials said.