The newly constructed Arignar Anna Bus Terminus at Kuthambakkam, built at a cost of ₹414 crore along the Chennai-Bengaluru highway, has remained unused for nearly three months. Despite having fully equipped bus bays, lounges, washrooms, parking facilities, and battery-operated vehicles for passenger transport within the 24-acre complex, the facility sits deserted and gathering dust. The reason: Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has yet to announce a date for its official inauguration.
Purpose of the Terminus
Developed by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) within the Thirumazhisai satellite township, the terminus aims to alleviate the mounting west-bound traffic congestion in Chennai, particularly for vehicles heading to Bengaluru, Hosur, and Krishnagiri. The facility has a capacity to accommodate around 400 private buses and 1,000 buses operated by the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC). Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) services may also be introduced based on demand once operations begin.
Current Traffic Woes
The delay in shifting west-bound buses out of Koyambedu has exacerbated congestion along Poonamallee High Road and Maduravoyal. Private buses frequently occupy entire stretches of roadside space and even park inside the Maduravoyal cloverleaf interchange during peak hours. When a TOI reporter visited the terminus, the facility was empty except for a handful of security guards. Battery-operated vehicles, still wrapped in bubble-wrap, sat unused on the ground floor. Cafeterias and food courts remained closed, and dust had settled on several sections of the newly built structure.
Reasons for Delay
Officials on site stated that construction was completed by February, but the Model Code of Conduct ahead of the state assembly elections delayed the inauguration. “As a new minister has taken charge, officials are expected to inspect the terminus before fixing an opening date for the chief minister,” a staff member said. However, CMDA officials pointed to unresolved access issues as the main hurdle. Paul Princely Rajkumar, District Revenue Officer at CMDA, explained that buses coming from Chennai currently have to overshoot the terminus and take a U-turn on NH-48 to enter the facility. “The service lane entry is narrow and comes within 10 meters from the U-turn on the highway, which is too little space for buses to turn. We are exploring options including a direct right entry or a flyover access,” he said.
Future Plans and Challenges
Rajkumar added that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has informed CMDA about future plans for a toll corridor towards Sriperumbudur along the same route, making the flyover proposal difficult. “We have to ensure traffic movement is not affected. The issue will be discussed with the minister, and the opening date will be decided after that,” he said.
Concerns from Bus Operators
All Omni Bus Owners Association president A. Anbalagan emphasized that the government must ensure last-mile connectivity before opening the terminus. “If sufficient MTC and rail connectivity is not provided, passengers will depend on private vehicles. One bus passenger group can bring nearly 40 cars into the terminus, and that could choke the entire NH-48 stretch,” he warned.
