Chennai,Oct 7: As the construction of metro railway lines continue, in and around different parts of the city, the shopkeepers and commuters are feeling the burn, owing to change in routes of public transport and increasing traffic in these areas.
Prem Kumar of Rathina Bakery in Guindy area now works hard for ten hours everyday, as a resident of K.K. Nagar he is also a regular commuter, the construction of metro railway lines is affecting him in many ways. “Even after working for longer hours the profit margin is not going up, I am unhappy that my business is no longer doing well. When I come to the shop in the morning, the traffic is very congested too”.
But Kumar is also optimistic about the future. He said, “I am very positive that once the construction is over and the metros finally come, people will definitely come to my shop for a quick snack”.
Deepa T.C. a resident of Adambakkam, is also dismayed as a commuter. She said, “ I am someone who regularly travels by bus. But after the construction work started it has been difficult for me to travel. Now its very tiring. Since the bus routes have changed, I have to often walk for longer period or take an auto”.
But she also expresses her happiness saying that Metro is actually very good for the city. “All these problems are temporary, very soon Metro train will be a bliss for us”.
Padmini V.K. a commuter expressed her joys. “I travel by train and the routes remain unchanged so I am not affected in any way, rather I am happy that very soon, I will enjoy the benefits of the metro train”.
Tilei Naikkam is an auto driver and stays in Adyar. He seems very happy at the prospect of good business in near future. He said, “When the metros finally comes and by 2015 when the trains start running, I will be benefited”. He added that, “When the trains run, it won’t drop people at their doorstep, they have to get down at the station and hire an auto to take them home”.
Farooque of Amma Tea stall in Guindy, said that his business is not affected. “I do not think the sell of my chai and biscuits have fallen in any way, although I would not also say that it has increased; it remains unchanged”, he said. He grinned and added that “No matter what happens around here, people will always stop by for a cup of good, cheap tea”.
Abdullah, shopkeeper, Beena Textiles is also disappointed and does not see any bright future. He said, “Traffic in this place has increased so people rarely come to our shop these days, we are simply washing time doing business here”. He is also thinking about moving abroad. “All the shops which are within 50 feet of the metro station will be demolished. We will not get subsidies as these areas belong to the government. I can only see my future, and a better life, abroad”.
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