Kilambakkam_bus_terminus

Kilambakkam bus terminus, Chennai

Kilambakkam bus terminus, Chennai

Express bus terminus in Chennai, India

Kilambakkam Bus Terminus, officially Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus, is a bus terminus in Kilambakkam, a southern suburb of Chennai, India. Situated along the GST Road, it became operational on 30 December 2023. Spread over an area of 88.52 acres (358,200 m2), it was built to decongest the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus in Koyambedu. It is an integrated bus terminus for mofussil buses operated by TNSTC, SETC, KSRTC, KSRTC SWIFT and contract carriage buses. The terminus is connected to other parts of the Chennai Metropolitan Area and suburbs by MTC buses.

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History

In 2016, Government of Tamil Nadu planned to construct a new bus terminus at Kilambakkam near Vandalur in South Chennai as a part of a plan to de-congest the existing bus terminus at Koyambedu.[1][2] The area earmarked for the construction of the bus terminus was within a protected zone declared by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as it contained megalithic sites. According to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR), all constructions are banned within 100 meters of ASI protected areas and any construction of a building with 200 meters of such areas requires permission from National Monument Authority (NMA).[3] Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) commissioned Reach Foundation to undertake a heritage impact assessment study on the development of the terminus.[4]

The works were ceased as clearance was pending from the National Monument Authority.[5] In February 2019, clearance was given for the construction of bus terminus with specific conditions including no further development in the 100 meter prohibited area except greenery and the involvement of archaeologists at the time of excavation and mitigation measures to be taken at the time of construction if artifacts are found.[1][6] The foundation stone for the project was laid on 22 February 2019 by then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.[7] The bus terminus was officially rechristened as Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus and was inaugurated on 30 December 2023.[8][9]

Financials

The project was projected to cost ₹325 crore (US$41 million) including ₹175 crore (US$22 million) for the main terminal buildings. The operational expenditure was estimated at ₹660 crore (US$83 million) per year with projected revenues of ₹1,020 crore (US$130 million).[10] The projected ended up costing ₹393.74 crore (US$49 million) .[11]

Infrastructure

The bus terminus is built on a land area of 88.52 acres (35.82 ha) with a total built-up area of 640,000 sq ft (59,000 m2). It was done on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.[12] The terminus consists of 215 bus bays including 130 bays for government buses and 85 bays for private contract carriages, situated across 14 platforms in 8 bus fingers. It has a 3.99 acres (1.61 ha) lay-off area for buses and a parking area that can accommodate 324 cars and 2,769 two-wheeler.[13][14][15] The bus station is equipped with ticket counters, information centers and other essential facilities like toilets, drinking water, dormitories, feeding rooms, police station, pharmacy, fire station, ATMs.[14] The bus station has a commercial complex which hosts restaurants and retail stores.[10] The bus terminus is constructed to be transgender and disabled friendly.[16]

Connections

Last mile connectivity is provided by Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses. Concerns have been raised regarding the last mile connectivity to the bus terminus as the bus station was located away from the city and there was no existing suburban railway link to the station.[17]

While the bus terminus is located along the South line of Chennai Suburban Railway, there is no railway station near the bus terminus. It is planned to build a new railway station near the bus station which will be connected by a skyway.[18] An extension of the Blue Line of Chennai Metro from the Chennai International Airport to the bus terminus has been announced, with a feasibility study completed and land surveys in progress.[19][20]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Chennai: Foundation stone laid for Kilambakkam bus terminus". The Times of India. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  2. [2]
    "Two new bus terminuses planned in Tamil Nadu: Edappadi K Palaniswami". Deccan Chronicle. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  3. [3]
    Shivakumar, C (25 April 2018). "Bus terminus at burial site? CMDA gets 'stop work' notice from ASI". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  4. [4]
    "CMDA hopes to push case for Kilambakkam terminus project with heritage impact report". The New Indian Express. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. [5]
    "Delhi paperwork delays Kilambakkam bus terminus". The Times of India. 26 December 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  6. [6]
    "Kilambakkam bus terminus awaits NMA nod". Dina Thanthi. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  7. [7]
    "Chennai: Foundation stone laid for Kilambakkam bus terminus". The Times of India. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  8. [8]
    "Kilambakkam bus terminus to be opened in June, rechristened as Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus". The Indian Express. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  9. [9]
    "Tamil Nadu CM Stalin inaugurates Kilambakkam bus terminus near Chennai". CNBC. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  10. [10]
    "New mofussil bus terminus at Kelambakkam may cost Rs 985 crore". The New Indian Express. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  11. [11]
    "Kilambakkam bus terminus in Chennai fully operational, traffic snarls on way to Chengalpattu". The Indian Express. 1 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  12. [12]
    "Bot model likely for new bus terminus". The New Indian Express. 8 October 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  13. [13]
    "KCBT Guidlines CMDA" (PDF). CMDA. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  14. [14]
    "Chennai's Kilambakkam bus terminus opened: Know all about its facilities and how it can reduce traffic woes". The Indian Express. 2 January 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  15. [15]
    "Kilambakkam bus terminus: CM to break ground today". The New Indian Express. 22 February 2019. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  16. [16]
    "Kilambakkam bus terminus built as per barrier-free and inclusive design norms, says CMDA official". The Hindu. 2 September 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  17. [17]
    "Passengers concerned about last-mile connectivity at Kilambakkam bus terminus". The Hindu. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  18. [18]
    "Kilambakkam railway station to be ready in 6 months". Dina Thanthi. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  19. [19]
    "Chennai Metro to link Airport with Kilambakkam" (PDF). The Hindu. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  20. [20]
    "Chennai Metro begins land survey for Airport-Kilambakkam corridor". Urban Transport. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
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