CMDA is all set to modernise six bus termini by March next year

CMDA modernising Chennai bus termini with amenities, including public conveniences, CCTV cameras, and parking lots for passengers.

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), which has established the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) at Koyambedu and the Kilambakkam bus terminus, is modernising six bus termini in the city. The CMDA had announced last year that six termini that were in a poor condition would be furnished with amenities. It has also announced that six more termini will be modernised next year. They are T. Nagar, Avadi, Vallalar Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Padiyanallur, and Iyyappanthangal. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has more than 30 termini in and around the city.

A senior official of the CMDA said that as part of the modernisation project, six termini in the city were initially selected as they were in a dilapidated condition and lacked amenities. Furthermore, the MTC’s finances were not so good. Hence, the CMDA chipped in. Tondiarpet, Kaviarasu Kannadasan Nagar, Mullai Nagar, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Periyar Nagar, and Ambattur were selected for modernisation in the first phase. Except for the Ambattur terminus, all the other termini are in north Chennai, serving a large number of the weaker section. After calling for bids, the CMDA has fixed the contractor for the six termini, where the work is progressing fast. The total amount allotted for these termini is nearly ₹80 crore.

The senior CMDA official said these six termini would have public conveniences, closed circuit television cameras, public announcement systems, diesel generators, feeding room for mothers, and parking lots for passengers. The Tondiarpet terminus, being modernised at a cost of ₹27 crore, will have three platforms, 12 bus bays, three ticket counters, and four shops. The contractor has started roof shuttering and ramp wall construction. The project is expected to be completed by February next. At Ambattur, which is being modernised at a cost of ₹14 crore, more than half of the civil work (the laying of solid blocks on the ground floor) and the construction of an overhead tank are in progress. The terminus will have 12 bays, four platforms, and 11 shops. The project is likely to be completed by January next. The work started at the KKD Nagar terminus in February this year at a cost of ₹13.50 crore. The foundation has been laid and the columns are being erected for the bus shelter. The terminus will have bays for 14 buses and three shops.

The Periyar Nagar terminus, which is in Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s Kolathur constituency, is to be renovated at a cost of ₹12 crore. The official said the terminus would have 12 bays, a private office, a modern ticket counter, and passenger amenities. The work will be completed by January next. At the Thiru Vi Ka Nagar terminus, which is being renovated at a cost of ₹8 crore, nearly 60% of the work of paving concrete pillars has been completed. The steel roof installation in progress. At Mullai Nagar, the foundation has been laid, and the contractor is installing the roof. The cost of modernisation here is ₹6 crore.

According to S. Thangaraj, a resident of Kalyanapuram, the termini at Mullai Nagar and KKD Nagar were built years ago. The Mullai Nagar terminus serves the residents of slum tenements at Vyasarpadi, Kalyanapuram, Sathyamurthy Nagar, and MKB Nagar. It is in a very bad condition, with the shelter damaged at several places. It has no public conveniences either.

South Chennai social activists say that several bus termini at Velachery, Medavakkam, Tambaram, and Kundrathur are in a bad condition. They also need renovation.

The CMDA is also involved in the construction of the bus termini at Kuthambakkam, Chengalpattu, and Mamallapuram. The work at Kuthambakkam is progressing fast. It is expected to be completed by March next. According to the CMDA official, the prestigious project is being carried out at a cost of ₹427 crore, with modern passenger amenities matching those at the Kilambakkam bus terminus. The CMDA has started the construction of the Mamallapuram and Chengalpattu termini. The Mamallapuram terminus is being built at a cost of ₹90 crore and the Chengalpattu terminus at ₹80 crore. The Mamallapuram terminus is being constructed on the East Coast Road. Accessing it will be easier than the old terminus, which, located in Mamallapuram town, is behind severe traffic congestion at weekends. The Chengalpattu terminus, located in the town, suffers from traffic congestion. The new terminus, being built near the new Collectorate, will help the residents have access to the government offices.