Chennai Corporation to Install 11 AC Bus Shelters Including at Velachery Terminus
The Greater Chennai Corporation will establish 11 air-conditioned bus shelters equipped with modern amenities across the city, including one at the Vijayanagar bus terminus in Velachery, as part of a pilot initiative funded through Corporate Social Responsibility contributions.
Memoranda of Understanding for the infrastructure project were signed with contributing organisations on Tuesday at Ripon Buildings in the presence of Corporation Commissioner Dr. G.S. Sameeran and Greater Chennai Police Commissioner Dr. A. Amalraj.
The civic body stated that the project is aimed at upgrading urban infrastructure and offering passengers safer, more comfortable waiting areas during Chennai's extreme weather conditions. The planned shelter at the Vijayanagar bus terminus in Velachery will be supported by Guru Nanak College.
Other contributing organisations backing the initiative include Apollo Hospitals, Kauvery Hospital, SIMS Hospital, Rohini Hotels, SRM Prime Hospital, and Freyer International Logistics.
According to the project details, Apollo Hospitals will support bus shelters at DMS on Anna Salai in Teynampet and at the Mylapore bus stop. Kauvery Hospital will establish a shelter on Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Vadapalani. SIMS Hospital will construct two shelters near the Vadapalani bus stop to serve commuters travelling to and from the hospital.
Additional shelters will be built at Chinnamalai in Guindy with support from Rohini Hotels, at Avichi School on Arcot Road and Alandur Metro through SRM Prime Hospital, and on the northern and southern sides of the Egmore area in Royapuram zone supported by Freyer International Logistics.
Each shelter will be equipped with an air-conditioned waiting hall, CCTV surveillance, Wi-Fi connectivity, lighting, USB charging points, and bus route information. The shelters will be constructed using heat-resistant PUF-panel roofing and toughened or laminated safety glass, along with accessible ramps integrated with footpaths where possible.
The Corporation noted that the 11 shelters are being developed on a pilot basis, with plans to expand the initiative to other city locations depending on local needs and CSR funds.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dr. P. Chamundeeswari, Joint Commissioner (Works) C. Saravanan, Chief Engineer (General) P. Sankaravelu, Superintending Engineer (Bus Routes) M. Pazhani, and representatives from the partner organisations were present at the event.