Omnibus Operations from Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus

What the announcement does

The press statement by P. K. Sekarbabu, Minister and Chairman of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and Minister for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, says omnibus operations from Koyambedu are fully prohibited from 24 January 2024. Omnibuses must instead operate from Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus at Kilambakkam in Chengalpattu district.

The source does not identify a government order number. It records information given by the Minister to reporters rather than setting out a land use approval, planning permission or property regulation.

Who is affected

The operating requirement directly affects:

• Omnibus owners and operators previously using Koyambedu.
• Omnibus owners' associations.
• Passengers boarding or leaving private omnibuses in the Chennai metropolitan area.
• The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and the Transport Department, which are identified as providing facilities at Kilambakkam.

Property buyers and owners are not given any new land obligation, ownership restriction or development right by the press statement.

Key provisions and facilities

The ministerial announcement states that:

• Omnibuses cannot operate from Koyambedu from 24 January 2024.
• All omnibus operations must take place from Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus at Kilambakkam.
• Five platforms provide parking positions for 77 omnibuses.
• The terminus also has 170 idle parking bays for omnibuses that are not in service.
• Facilities required by passengers and buses have been provided by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and the Transport Department.
• Omnibus owners and their associations are asked to cooperate with the move to Kilambakkam.

Background given in the statement

Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus was built by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority on 88.52 acres in Kilambakkam at an estimated cost of Rs.393.74 crore. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu opened it for public use on 30 December 2023.

The Minister said discussions had been held with omnibus owners before the terminus opened. According to the statement, operators initially agreed to begin services gradually and later indicated that services would start from Kilambakkam on 24 January 2024. The government rejected a later claim that operators were not ready and said public needs would determine the operating arrangement.