Minister flags off bus services at new terminus in Tiruvannamalai

Minister for Public Works, Highways and Minor Ports E.V. Velu flagged off bus services at the newly opened modern bus terminus on Chennai-Tindivanam Road in Tiruvannamalai town on Tuesday, bringing relief to hundreds of long-distance travellers.

It comes after the facility, built at a cost of ₹34 crore, was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during his visit to the district on December 27, 2025. The terminus has been opened for public use after giving final touches and preparing a list of long-distance buses that can be operated from the facility.

Spread over 6.6 acres, the new terminus features CCTV cameras and solar-powered LED lights to enhance surveillance. The new facility connects all three arterial stretches from Chennai, Madurai and Bengaluru with the town. A police outpost will also be set up.

“The new bus terminus has passenger amenities like the digital bus timing boards, a waiting hall, public announcement systems, adequate washrooms, water taps and parking facilities,” S. Selva Balaji, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told The Hindu. 

Corporation officials said that the new terminus will operate long distance buses to Pondicherry, Kilambakkam (Chennai), Adyar, Madhavaram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Thirukovilur, Panruti, Neyveli, Kumbakonam and Chidambaram.

The old bus terminus, which was opened in 1988 near the Arunachaleswarar Temple, is located on a two-acre plot at the centre of town. It will continue to operate buses to Bengaluru, Vellore, Vandavasi, Cheyyar, Chengam, Arcot, Ranipet, Coimbatore, Salem, Kancheepuram, Hosur and Dharmapuri. Every day, on an average, more than 400 buses are operated by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) in the terminus. Buses struggle to depart and arrive in the terminus due to traffic congestion in the town. 

“The Corporation should operate shuttle services between the new and the old bus terminus to help commuters board local buses with ease because autorickshaws charge exorbitant rates to reach these facilities,” said N. Prasanna, a commuter.

On the occasion, Deputy Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, K. Pitchandi, and Collector K. Tharpagaraj were present.