# Kilambakkam bus terminus, Chennai

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 m$^2$), 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.

## 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. 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). Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) commissioned Reach Foundation to undertake a heritage impact assessment study on the development of the terminus.
The works were ceased as clearance was pending from the National Monument Authority. 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. The foundation stone for the project was laid on 22 February 2019 by then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The bus terminus was officially rechristened as Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus and was inaugurated on 30 December 2023.

## Financials

The project was projected to cost ₹325 crore (US$38 million) including ₹175 crore (US$20 million) for the main terminal buildings. The operational expenditure was estimated at ₹660 crore (US$76 million) per year with projected revenues of ₹1,020 crore (US$120 million). The projected ended up costing ₹393.74 crore (US$45 million) .

## 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 m$^2$). It was done on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. 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. 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. The bus station has a commercial complex which hosts restaurants and retail stores. The bus terminus is constructed to be transgender and disabled friendly.

## 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.
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. 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.