CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday flagged off the AC double-decker electric bus service aimed at promoting heritage and cultural tourism in the city. The service was inaugurated at the Chennai Trade Centre in Nandambakkam during the Ayalaka Thamilar Day 2026 celebrations organised by the Department of Overseas Tamils Welfare and Rehabilitation.
The electric double-decker bus, worth Rs 1.89 crore, was donated to the State government by the Hinduja Foundation, Mumbai.
The initiative was supported by Tamils living in the US in collaboration with Ashok Leyland. The bus has been handed over to the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation to operate heritage tourism services.
After flagging off the service, CM Stalin inspected the facilities provided in the bus. The service is designed to offer an eco-friendly, informative and immersive tourism experience for domestic and international tourists, students and the general public, with a special focus on school students. The initiative seeks to showcase Chennai’s history, culture and architectural heritage while promoting sustainable transport.
In the first phase, the panoramic bus service will operate along a proposed route in Chennai covering several prominent heritage and tourism landmarks such as the TTDC headquarters, LIC building, Spencer Plaza, Makkan Masjid, P Orr and Sons Watch Tower, Pallavan Salai, Bodyguard Muneeswarar Temple, RA Mandram, Madras High Court, Secretariat, Reserve Bank of India, Chennai Port, Victory War Memorial, Napier Bridge, memorials of CN Annadurai, M Karunanidhi, MGR and J Jayalalithaa, Marina Beach, Light House, Pattinapakkam Beach, Santhome Basilica, All India Radio, Police Commissioner’s Office, Queen Mary’s College, Vivekananda House, Presidency College, Ezhilagam, University of Madras, Doordarshan Kendra, Rajaji Hall, Omandurar GH, and back to the TTDC headquarters.
The service is expected to provide a comprehensive view of the city’s heritage sites through its panoramic design while reinforcing Chennai’s position as a major cultural tourism destination.