Cab rates up as public transport crippled in Chennai

CHENNAI: Demand for recovery and towing vehicles was high on Thursday as several vehicles got stuck in water-logged areas across the city.
“We received close to 25 rescue calls. But we are able to attend only half of them because of the excess rain. Majority of the calls were from Kodambakkam, Vadapalani, Arumbakkam and Taramani areas,” said S Renjith Kumar from OMR Towing Services in Perungudi.It cost Rs 1,600 to Rs 2,500 to recover a car.
Not just private vehicles, such agencies were instrumental in recovering even autos and taxis, which were the only form urban commute available in interior areas as public transportation crippled.
In some places, autos and cabs charged up to ₹900 for 10-km trips. “We did not have an option as not many were willing to enter our area,” said Inbarajan, a resident of Perambur.
The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai has suspended services of close to 1,000 buses, according to official data.
MTC managed to operate 1,600 buses to help those leaving for work. But nearly threefourths among them were unable to complete the trips on time and come gor.
Long-distance buses too struggled to reach Chennai as parts of Madurantakam and Tambaram (along Chennai-Trichy highway) got inundated. So, buses had to wait for rain and wind speed to reduce for a safer commute. It extended travel time by at least 90 to 120 minutes on Thursday afternoon.
As far as trains were concerned, suburban services were delayed after tracks got flooded near Ambattur and Avadi along the Chennai-Thiruvallur route. However, railways cancelled only three services and operated the rest of the trains. But many of the services on Tambaram and Gummidipoondi route were delayed.
The Basin Bridge yard was flooded making it difficult for the staff to check trains and get them ready for service from Central. Long-distance express trains were operated as per schedule. As more rain is forecast, railways will operate suburban services on Sunday’s schedule on Friday.