The upcoming bus terminus at Kuthambakkam near Thirumazhisai, which is scheduled to be operational by the middle of next year, will be fully air-conditioned and include a food court where passengers can enjoy the choicest food and beverages as they wait for buses to Bengaluru. The government also plans to connect it to the metro rail network.
The terminus, which will be spread over 25 acres, will have about 70 bays for mofussil government buses and 30 for private services, all bound for western destinations such as Krishnagiri and Bengaluru, as well as 36 bays for MTC buses.
It will also have a multi-level parking facility that can accommodate more than 1,600 two-wheelers, 200 four-wheelers, and include amenities such as escalators, drinking water facilities, sewage plant and CCTV cameras among others. “We want it to be like the airport. Since many of the buses will be towards Bengaluru, we expect good patronage from IT employees. As many may come directly from work and may have to wait for a few hours for late night services, we are planning a food court that residents of surrounding areas can also enjoy,” said a CMDA official.
With Wi-Fi availability, the passengers can lounge in the comfort of the air conditioned premises and work on their laptops if needed, he added.
A team from the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (Cumta) visited the terminus last week to study the feasibility of introducing metro connectivity to Poonamallee.
“In future when metro rail is extended to the Parandur airport, it must pass through Kuthambakkam. We are also planning access from Tiruvallur,” said Cumta special officer I Jeyakumar.
A CMDA official said metro connectivity will help provide a seamless commute. “The frequency should be good as patronage for west-bound buses is usually good.”