Thu May 01 10:20:11 UTC 2025: **Gummidipoondi Bus Depot Project Remains Stalled Despite 2013 Announcement**
CHENNAI, May 1, 2025 – A long-delayed bus depot project in Gummidipoondi, Tamil Nadu, continues to cause significant hardship for residents, despite being announced in the state assembly in 2013. The project, which requires acquiring over four acres of land, aims to alleviate transportation challenges faced by commuters.
The current bus stand, located in a densely populated area, is inadequate. Long-distance buses stop on the National Highway, a kilometer and a half away, causing inconvenience. Local bus services to Chennai are also insufficient. The situation is particularly problematic for the over 10,000 workers at the nearby SIPCOT industrial area who commute from other districts. Residents also report that the existing bus stand lacks basic amenities such as shelters and bus bays.
While the Transport Minister, S.S. Sivasankar, recently stated that a new depot and bus stand will be established this year, citing a site identified in Pethikuppam village, residents remain skeptical given the project’s prolonged delay. The lack of a proper depot impacts public transport efficiency, increases travel time, and affects the livelihoods of the community. The project’s future remains uncertain, leaving Gummidipoondi residents to contend with inadequate transport infrastructure.
First Piper 