Kilambakkam bus services operating from temporary bus terminuses have been shifted back to regular platforms at the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) as passenger demand for Ayudha Pooja travel declines.
The revised arrangement took effect on Sunday, October 18, according to DT Next. The change affects special services that had been operated from temporary facilities created at multiple locations in Chennai to manage the holiday travel rush.
Buses bound for Polur, Chetpet and Vandavasi via Tiruvannamalai will now depart from platform 7 at KCBT. These services were earlier operated from the temporary bus terminus at the CMDA Climate Park.
Services to Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur have also been shifted. Buses on these routes, which had been operating from the temporary bus terminus at Maraimalai Nagar, will now leave from platform 5 at KCBT.
The special bus operation had covered five locations in Chennai: KCBT in Kilambakkam, the Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR Bus Terminus in Koyambedu, the Madhavaram New Bus Terminus, the temporary bus terminus at the CMDA Climate Park and the temporary bus terminus at Maraimalai Nagar.
The temporary locations were used as part of the arrangements for passengers travelling to their hometowns during the Ayudha Pooja holidays. With the number of travellers declining, the affected services have been consolidated at regular platforms in KCBT.
For passengers, the change means that services previously assigned to the CMDA Climate Park and Maraimalai Nagar will no longer depart from those temporary locations. Travellers using the Polur, Chetpet and Vandavasi routes via Tiruvannamalai have been advised to reach platform 7 at KCBT, while passengers travelling to Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur should use platform 5.
The shift also highlights the operational role of KCBT in handling services serving southern and central Tamil Nadu destinations after special holiday arrangements are scaled back. During peak travel periods, services can be distributed across multiple terminals and temporary facilities; as demand eases, routes can be brought back to regular platforms.
Passengers have been advised to take note of the platform changes and plan their journeys accordingly. The revised departure points are platform 7 for Polur, Chetpet and Vandavasi services via Tiruvannamalai, and platform 5 for Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur services.
