CHENNAI: The first service of the double-decker electric (EV) bus, has begun snaking across the city to promote heritage and cultural tourism.
The project has been designed especially to benefit school students by offering an educational, informative, and immersive tour of the city's heritage locations.
The heritage tourism service aims to showcase Chennai’s rich history, culture, and architectural landmarks through an environmentally sustainable travel experience. As part of the launch, the first cultural tour was conducted on Wednesday with 54 students from government children’s homes at Kellys, Kosapet (girls), and Royapuram (boys).
For the Pongal holidays, TTDC has also planned special evening heritage tours from January 15-18 for school students visiting the 50th India Tourism and Industrial Fair going on at Island Grounds. Subsequently, the service will be opened to the general public through advance online booking on the tourism website.
The first route starts and ends at the TTDC Headquarters and covers 30 locations, including LIC Building, Spencer Plaza, Marina Beach, Light House, Santhome Basilica, Vivekananda House, Madras High Court, Fort St George Secretariat, Reserve Bank of India, Chennai Port, Napier Bridge, Anna and Kalaignar Memorials, MGR-Jayalalithaa Memorial, Queen Mary’s College, Presidency College, University of Madras, Rajaji Hall, Omandurar GH, among others.
Plans are underway to operate a second route from TTDC Headquarters via Dakshina Chitra and Muttukadu, extending up to Mahabalipuram.
The initiative marks a significant step by the TN Tourism Development Corporation in promoting sustainable tourism while preserving and educating visitors about the State’s cultural and historical legacy.
After the ride, girls from Kellys and Kosapet told DT Next that they enjoyed the top view of Chennai, especially Marina Beach and Lighthouse. “The experience was fantabulous,” they smiled. “We have never experienced such a journey before.”