Madhavaram satellite bus terminus set to open today

According to a Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) official, CM Edappadi K Palaniswami would inaugurate the new facility through video conference in an event to be held at State Secretariat. Explaining the purpose of the new satellite terminus, the official said that all the Andhra Pradesh-bound buses would be operated from Madhavaram, thus decongesting Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) and its surrounding areas in Koyambedu. “All the buses to Andhra Pradesh will be operated from the new bus stand from Wednesday,” the official said.

Built at a cost of Rs 94 crore, Madhavaram bus terminus can accommodate around 100 buses simultaneously. “There are one or two private bus operators operating between the states from Chennai. They will be allowed to operate from Madhavaram. Apart from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu government buses, MTC buses would also be operated from this new bus stand. Nearly 50 buses can be parked on the first floor,” the official added.

Pointing out the advantages of having the second bus stand apart from CMBT at Koyambedu, the official added, “The new eight-acre bus stand will reduce the travel time to destinations like Tirupati, Nellore, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and other cities in the neighbouring state. Travel time to Tirupati will reduce to two hours from the present three.”

It may be recalled that the government had planned an estimation of Rs 32 crore for the construction of Madhavaram bus terminus. However, the cost escalated and Rs 94.16 crore were sanctioned in 2016.

Meanwhile, the city is all set to have another bus terminus in Kilambakkam near Vandalur as the CMDA has recently floated tenders to construct the new bus stand. This Rs 309 crore project coming up at a sprawling 44-acre site would house government and private omnibuses bound for southern districts of the State. The construction works are expected to begin in November.