Chennai special buses for passengers travelling during the Ayudha Pooja holiday period will operate from four major and temporary boarding locations, with services divided by destination to reduce confusion during the festive rush, according to a report citing the Tamil Nadu State Transport Department.
The Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus at Kilambakkam will handle buses to southern and western Tamil Nadu, including Villupuram, Ulundurpet, Virudhachalam, Tittakudi, Tirukoilur, Kallakurichi, Salem and Coimbatore via Tindivanam. Services from the terminus will also connect passengers to Panruti, Neyveli, Vadalur, Chidambaram and Kattumannarkoil in the Cuddalore region.
Passengers travelling to Puducherry, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Tiruchy, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur, Sengottai, Dindigul, Palani and Pollachi can also use services operating from the main Kilambakkam terminus. Travellers have been advised to confirm their platform and departure details before boarding.
A temporary bus stand near the CMDA Climate Park at Kilambakkam will operate services via Guindy to Tiruvannamalai, Polur, Chetpet and Vandavasi. Passengers travelling to these destinations will need to check whether their bus departs from the temporary stand instead of the main Kilambakkam terminal.
The temporary bus stand at Maraimalai Nagar will operate on a trial basis for services to the Cauvery delta region. Buses from this location will connect passengers to Kumbakonam, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur. Free connecting buses will operate between the MTC bus terminus at Kilambakkam and the Maraimalai Nagar temporary stand, allowing passengers to reach the designated boarding point.
The Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR Bus Terminus at Koyambedu will handle services to destinations along the East Coast Road, as well as locations in northern Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. ECR services will connect passengers to Puducherry, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam and Velankanni.
Other buses from Koyambedu will operate to Kancheepuram, Vellore, Hosur, Bengaluru, Tiruttani and Tirupati. The division of services between Koyambedu, Kilambakkam and the temporary stands means passengers need to verify their boarding location before leaving home.
The transport department has advised travellers to check their bus timings, ticket details and boarding point in advance. Reaching the correct terminal well before departure is particularly important during the extended holiday period, when multiple locations will handle additional services.
