CHENNAI: Mahabalipuram, famous for its stone sculptures and heritage monuments, attracts visitors not only from across Tamil Nadu and India but also from many foreign countries. And yet, the place does not have a dedicated and fully functional bus terminus.
‘Progressing at a snail’s pace’ takes on a different meaning here, as the terminus has been ‘building’ for over 30 years.
There’s a temporary facility near the Perumal Temple that can accommodate only about eight buses at a time. As a result, many buses are parked along roadsides, leading to severe traffic congestion, especially during weekends, holidays and evenings. Tourists often spend much of their time stuck in traffic rather than exploring the monuments.
The idea of setting up a modern bus terminus in Mahabalipuram was first initiated in 1992, when the State government and tourism authorities began preliminary studies. However, locating a suitable site proved difficult.
Proposals to build the terminus outside the town to ease congestion faced opposition from local traders, who feared a drop in business. This led to prolonged delays.
In 2010, the government land of around 6.79 acres between Karukathamman Temple and East Coast Road (ECR) was identified as a suitable location. The site, positioned between Mahabalipuram town and the ECR, was considered convenient for both town traffic and vehicles passing along the coastal highway.
The land was handed over for development, and an initial estimate of Rs 18 crore was sanctioned. Though land clearing and levelling began, actual construction did not take off for nearly a decade, with only inspections and reviews taking place.
In 2020, the project was transferred to the CMDA. Further technical studies, soil testing and revised planning were undertaken, as officials concluded that the original estimate was insufficient. This led to additional delays. Then in 2024, the government revised the project cost to Rs 90.50 crore and directed CMDA to start construction.
Now, work is going on to build a modern bus terminus with facilities to park around 50 buses, along with passenger waiting halls, restrooms, food courts, shops, ATM facilities and other amenities. Located around half-a-kilometre from Mahabalipuram town and close to ECR, the new terminus is expected to benefit tourists, residents and traders.
Authorities now expect the Mahabalipuram modern bus terminus to become operational by the end of this year.