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With the AIADMK government scrapping many schemes of the former DMK government, the fate of the much-awaited minibus scheme hangs in the balance.

Since it did not feature in the governor’s address, there are apprehensions that this scheme might also get scrapped like other projects proposed by the previous government.

However, Transport Minister Mr Senthil Balaji told this newspaper that a final decision would be taken in a few days.

Considering the lack of connectivity with arterial roads for Chennaiites who reside in the interiors, the erstwhile DMK government had planned to introduce mini buses in the city. The government had directed Anna University to determine the bus routes by conducting a detailed study.

The then transport minister K. N. Nehru had made an announcement in the Assembly in April 2009 that 100 mini buses would ply in the city within a period of three months. He had, however, missed the deadline.

Subsequently many deadlines were fixed and missed. And as elections neared, the DMK government put the scheme on the backburner. Residents now suspect that the scheme might be dropped as it did not find mention in the governor’s address to the Assembly.
A senior transport official said, “After a long delay, the Anna University submitted its report recently. Now that the regime has changed, the new government might rethink about the scheme and could even shelve the project.” When contacted, transport minister Senthil Balaji told this newspaper that the decision on mini buses would be taken in a few days after consultation with senior officials.

“We will let you know the decision soon,” the transport minister said.