Kuthambakkam Bus Stand Project Revised to Rs 427 Crore, Set to Open in May

The Kuthambakkam suburban bus terminal, to be constructed near Thirumazhisai, has gone up by Rs 427 crore from the original budget of Rs 336 crore. The CMDA is eager to see that the work is completed soon, with the possibility of inducting the project by the end of May.

To reduce the increasing traffic congestion in Chennai, new bus stands were planned at Madhavaram, Kilambakkam (near Vandalur), and Kuthambakkam. The Madhavaram terminal already is operational, while the Kilambakkam bus stand built on 40 acres for Rs 400 crore was expected to be completed by December 2024 and opened in early 2025.

The Kuthambakkam project was launched in 2021 on 24.8 acres of land acquired from the Housing Board. The size will be 5 lakh square feet in area, catering to buses that are moving toward Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

Project Cost Rise and Upgrade: The budget review is an enhancement of the first plan. Another floor with a cold storage facility is added to the main terminal building. Road development has been provided for Rs 2 crore. A workshop and a police station are also coming up for Rs 10 crore. All these additions have caused the project to rise to Rs 427 crore.

Expected Opening Timeline: While the CMDA had initially targeted a late 2024 launch, revised timelines now suggest an opening by March 2025. However, with 92% of construction work already completed, officials are optimistic about commencing operations by the end of May this year.

Operational Readiness and Transport Plans: CMDA officials have been talking to the Government Express Transport Corporation and the Villupuram State Transport Corporation to ensure bus services to western Tamil Nadu. They are also meeting with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).

Considering the teething troubles during the soft launch of the Kilambakkam bus stand, the officials want the terminal to be efficient and hassle-free. It is expected to station

• 70 outstation buses and 30 omnibuses.
• 36 city buses, 48 outstation buses, and 27 omnibuses.
• Parking space for 1,680 two-wheelers and 235 cars.

The facility will also house 41 shops, a control room, and three escalators. With these amenities, Kuthambakkam’s new terminal aims to enhance Chennai’s transport network significantly.