Nearly three feet of rainwater accumulated on GST Road at the entrance to the Kilambakkam Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus on Sunday, severely disrupting vehicle movement in and out of the major bus facility in southern Chennai.
The waterlogging affected cars and other vehicles approaching the terminus, with motorists struggling to negotiate the flooded stretch. The disruption occurred at the access point to the bus terminus, creating difficulties for people travelling to and from the facility.
The Kilambakkam bus terminus is located along the GST Road corridor, one of the principal road links serving southern Chennai and its expanding suburban region. Flooding at its entrance can affect both private vehicles and buses using the approach road, although the report did not provide details of cancellations or delays to bus services.
Motorists attributed the recurring waterlogging to inadequate stormwater drainage in the area. They said the existing drainage network does not adequately connect the road to nearby water bodies, leaving rainwater accumulated on the carriageway after heavy rain.
The reported problem highlights the importance of drainage connections around large transport facilities. A bus terminus depends not only on its platforms and passenger buildings but also on clear access roads, turning areas and links to the wider road network. When those approaches become impassable, the disruption can extend beyond the immediate flooded section and affect how passengers reach the facility.
According to the report, motorists alleged that proper rainwater channels had not been created to carry runoff towards a nearby lake. They urged the authorities to improve the drainage network and ensure that accumulated rainwater is directed towards nearby water bodies.
The incident comes as rainfall raises operational concerns for transport infrastructure across Chennai and its suburbs. The report identified the drainage gap as a recurring problem, suggesting that the waterlogging is not limited to a single isolated obstruction on GST Road.
The affected stretch is also significant because the terminus serves as a major departure and arrival point for bus passengers travelling through the southern metropolitan region. While the supplied report does not quantify the number of vehicles affected or record an official response, it confirms that traffic was severely disrupted at the terminus entrance.
Motorists’ demand is focused on a permanent drainage solution rather than temporary clearance of water from the road. They called for channels that can carry runoff towards nearby water bodies and prevent similar interruptions during the northeast monsoon. No further implementation timeline or official action plan was provided in the report.
