The ₹34-crore modern bus terminus on Chennai-Tindivanam Road in Tiruvannamalai town will become fully operational facility soon as Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) will run all buses including long-distance and town services from the terminus on a trial basis from July 13.

TNSTC officials said that first bus services were started at the new terminus in February. Since then, only long-distance buses to places like Chennai, Puducherry, Madurai, Tiruchi, Nagercoil, Kumbakonam and Villupuram were operated in the facility. 

Along with TNSTC and Corporation officials, Collector Vandana Garg inspected the new bus terminus. “As additional bus bays work in the new terminus has been completed, a trial run for all buses has been planned to facilitate smooth travel by commuters. It will help devotees to reach the temple town easier and safer,” K. Balasubramanian, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told The Hindu.

At present, the new terminus operates only buses to big towns and cities like Panruti, Neyveli and Chidambaram. Buses to surrounding districts and towns like Vellore, Arani, Kancheepuram, Vandavasi, Krishnagiri, Hosur, Dharmapuri, Bengaluru, Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Chittoor (A.P.) and Tirupati are operated in the old bus terminus near Arunachaleswarar temple in the town. “Operation of all buses at the new bus terminus, which has better civic amenities, is a welcome measure as commuters especially women and senior citizens are no longer required to shuttle between terminals to board buses,” said R. Mahalakshmi, a commuter.

Currently, 138 buses including 97 private buses are operated at the new bus terminus whereas 520 buses including 68 private buses are run at the old bus terminus. Unlike the new terminus, which spreads over 6.6 acres, the old terminus, which was built in 1988, operates in a cramped two acre plot with dilapidated buildings and facilities.

In terms of safety features and civic amenities, the new bus terminus has CCTV cameras to provide better surveillance as Tiruvannamalai town is a pilgrim centre where travellers from faraway places throng the temple town every day.

The new bus terminus has at least 70 bus bays to park a fleet of buses. It also has a commuters’ waiting hall, commercial complex, parking lots, public announcement system, digital timing boards, time keeper office, water taps, toilets and ramps for commuters with disabilities. The new facility connects all three arterial stretches from Chennai, Madurai and Bengaluru with the town.

Published - July 09, 2026 07:54 pm IST