Panjapur bus terminus becomes operational

The newly inaugurated Muthamizh Arignar Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Integrated Bus Terminus at Panjapur on Tiruchi-Madurai National Highway commenced operations on Wednesday.

Omnibuses parked on the temporarily allotted parking bay near the IBT. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru flagged off the buses in the presence of Collector V. Saravanan, Mayor M. Anbazhagan and Corporation Commissioner L. Madhubalan.

The terminus features eight platforms to accommodate 345 mofussil buses on the ground floor, and 56 for city buses operating from four platforms on the first floor. A separate temporary bay has been allotted for omnibuses to pick up passengers.

Bus services will be operated from the new terminus to major areas such as Palakkarai, Thillainagar, Woraiyur, Central bus stand, Chathiram bus stand, Vayalur, Srirangam, Samayapuram, Tiruverumbur and Thuvakudi during day and night. Additionally, 196 trips have been planned between 3:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily.

Similarly, mofussil buses to Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Velankanni, Pudukottai, Rameswaram, Chennai, Bengaluru, Namakkal, Salem, Karur, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Palani, Kumuly, Madurai, Tiruchendur, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Tenkasi, and Sengottai will be operated.

All basic amenities, including drinking water, toilets, waiting room, cloak rooms, mobile charging points, and ATMs, have been made available. City-based eateries and sweet shops have opened stalls at the terminus. There are three to four kiosks on all platforms serving snacks and beverages.

To provide hassle-free travel, help desks and ‘My I Help You?’ desk have been set up. LED screens and display boards provide updates on bus schedules and arrivals for passengers.

A parking lot with a capacity to park about 216 four-wheelers and 1,935 two-wheelers is available at the new terminus. As a parking fee, the Corporation collects ₹20 for each two-wheeler for 24 hours.