Thiruvanmiyur Bus Terminus Plan Hits Roadblock

The proposed ₹35-crore redevelopment of the Thiruvanmiyur bus terminus
in south Chennai has hit a regulatory problem. The Tamil Nadu State Highways
Authority has said that the project clashes with the route of a planned
elevated road corridor.

Sources from the state highways department said important parts of the bus
stand and depot redevelopment would overlap with the alignment of the
₹2,100-crore elevated corridor. This road project is being taken up under
a public-private partnership using the hybrid annuity model.

The elevated corridor will take three years to build, followed by five
years of operation and maintenance. Tenders for the project have already
been invited, sources added.

The Thiruvanmiyur bus terminus redevelopment is planned on 1.66 acres of land.
It includes a three-storey bus terminal with a built-up area of around 6,000
square metres, connected to the existing depot. The plan has 13 bus bays and
space to handle nearly 70 buses at a time. It also includes separate areas for
passengers to get on and off buses, ticket counters, waiting halls, rest rooms
for staff, medical facilities, shops, and a separate two-storey commercial
building.

However, the highways authority said that a detailed review of the layout
approved by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) showed
that key structures like ramps, platforms, parking areas, and parts of the
depot fall within the approved alignment of the elevated road corridor.