Chennai, July 28: Security personnel are now guarding the stylish new stainless steel bus shelters in the city.

They are not guarding them against possible terror strikes, but are only keeping vigil to protect ceiling fans, money vending machines and public telephones besides the vinyl advertisement billboards.

There are two security guards at each shelter working on shift basis. Sources said they were being paid Rs 4,000 per month.

The new bus shelters are part of the 500 such facilities planned by the metro transport corporation and built by a private firm. It is expected that all shelters will be ready in another three months.

According to senior executives of the firm, the bus stop might also have facilities like surveillance cameras, FM radio, water vending machines and ATM machines soon.

Advertisers are being charged between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh per month for putting up their displays in the bus shelter.

The new bus shelters are coming up on Anna Salai, Poonamallee High Road, Nungambakkam High Road, NSC Bose Road, Kodambakkam High Road and Sardar Patel Road.

The MTC is expected to get a royalty of Rs 1.7 crore per year for providing pavement space for the bus shelters.