CHENNAI: South-bound omnibuses may soon find a new home in the proposed bus terminus at Kilambakkam, near Guduvanchery, on the city’s outskirts.
According to initial proposals, it was suggested to integrate the requirement of south-bound contract carriages (omnibuses) in the proposed bus terminus to enable operation of both public and private transport operators from the same premises.
Sources told Express that Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has been asked to shift such omnibuses from Koyambedu to the new terminus, which will reduce congestion on GST Road, near Perungalathur, up to Vandalur. It will be connected to the Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road, said sources, adding they were looking at the possibility of having a link road through Crescent Engineering College campus. Officials said negotiations are on in this regard.
Similarly, connectivity of the terminus to the suburban railway station at Urapakkam is being worked out and various options, including walkways, provision for shuttle services and other such options are being explored. The entry and exit points are being identified in such a manner that there will not be any hindrance for traffic on the National Highway.
A 16-member technical committee, headed by a member secretary, has been set up to review and approve the proposal. The biggest challenge is to acquire land within the site. Part of the site in the southern side was notified by the archaeological department as protected, restricting development.
Sources said the consultant has been advised to design the concept plan keeping in mind such activities and components permissible in the area notified by the archaeological department. Sources observed this should have been done before going ahead with the project.
The terminus is proposed to be designed in such a way that passengers and visitors are segregated, and only the former can enter the bus finger area. They will have access control and be aware of the entry and exit times of each bus, including the time spent in idle parking in bus finger bays.
Necessary facilities for travellers and visitors will be provided within the common area terminal, which is likely to act as a passenger waiting area as well as hub for economic activity. Sources said food stalls will be set up in the terminal the way food courts are functioning in airports and malls.
The entry and exit points for State Express Transport Corporation and Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses, and other vehicles within the terminal, will also be segregated, defined and regulated.