Chennai Corporation plans bus terminus near Vivekanandar Illam

Nearly a decade after establishing a bus bay near Vivekanandar Illam as part of the Marina beautification project, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is now planning to build a bus terminus on Dr. Besant Road, close to this landmark.

An official with the GCC said that the project is awaiting administrative sanction. It is expected to come up near the the junction of Dr. Besant Road and Kamarajar Salai, near Marina Beach. “The location selected lies on a busy stretch near Marina Beach, close to key landmarks and historic landmarks along the coast. So, proposal has been prepared to match the surrounding,” he added.

This project, which is estimated to cost ₹1 crore, will be jointly funded through the Member of Legislative Assembly Local Area Development Funds (MLA-LAD) and the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) — 50% allocated under each scheme.

The project involves the construction of a bus terminus with a small timekeeper room. It will have essential passenger amenities, including a waiting platform, seating arrangements and a feeding room. The work is scheduled to be completed within four months from the date of commencement.

An engineer with the Chennai Corporation said that work is expected to begin within seven days of site handover after tender process is finalised.

Bus bay in 2016

In 2016, the Corporation had created a bus bay at this location by reallocating land from a nearby park, alongside projects to restore greenery, install 1.2-metre heritage pillars, widen pavements, and erect new bus shelters, to ease congestion and improve pedestrian conditions along the Marina promenade.