Chennai Plans First Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) on Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Road

Chennai is moving closer to introducing its first Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), with the proposed corridor likely to be developed along the 11-km Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Road (PTR). The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has sought funding from the Tamil Nadu government to conduct a feasibility study for the project.

The proposal comes shortly after Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay revived the long-pending plan for a dedicated Bus Rapid Transit network in Chennai. During a recent review meeting with the Transport Department, the Chief Minister directed officials to study South Korea’s Bus Rapid Transit System as part of efforts to improve the speed, efficiency, and reliability of the city’s bus services.

Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Chosen as Pilot Corridor

Officials said the Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Road was selected because it offers one of the best opportunities to implement a BRT corridor. Unlike many of Chennai’s arterial roads, which face right-of-way limitations, this corridor has a 60-metre-wide right of way—double the 30 metres generally required for a full-scale BRT system.

According to CUMTA sources, the authority intends to develop this corridor as a model BRT project that can be replicated in other parts of Chennai if it proves successful.

Aligned with Chennai’s Mobility Plan

The proposal is consistent with CUMTA’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan (2023–2048), which recommends Bus Rapid Transit as part of the city’s short- and medium-term transportation strategy.

The plan identifies the following proposed BRT corridors:

Broadway – Poonamallee: 23 km (Short Term)

Neelankarai – Pallavaram: 12 km (Short Term)

Outer Ring Road (Vandalur – Minjur): 62 km (Medium Term)

However, officials noted that the Broadway–Poonamallee corridor presents major implementation challenges due to insufficient road width. Several stretches, particularly near Aminjikarai, narrow to approximately 21 metres, making it difficult to accommodate a full BRT system.

A standard BRT corridor requires a consistent 30-metre right of way to provide dedicated two-way bus lanes along with two mixed-traffic lanes in each direction.

Lane Discipline Key to Success

Officials emphasised that road width alone will not guarantee the success of a BRT system. Strict lane discipline will be equally important.

While several Indian cities have experimented with BRT systems, Ahmedabad remains one of the few successful examples. Officials pointed out that two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws frequentlyly enter dedicated bus lanes in many cities during peak hours, reducing the effectiveness of the system.

Experts Welcome the Initiative

Urban mobility expert Sivasubramaniam Jayaraman, Deputy Director of ITDP India, welcomed the Chief Minister’s interest in studying the South Korean model, describing it as a positive step toward giving greater priority to public buses.

He explained that a successful BRT system is much more than a dedicated bus lane. It is an integrated public transport solution that includes dedicated or priority corridors, modern stations, level boarding, intelligent traffic signal priority, safer pedestrian access, efficient operations, and predictable travel times.

He also noted that even where a full BRT system is not feasible, bus priority lanes, similar to those used in Singapore during peak hours, could significantly improve bus speeds and service reliability.

According to Jayaraman, investing in modern buses alone will not transform public transport unless buses are also given priority on city roads through dedicated corridors and priority lanes.

A Boost for Chennai’s Public Transport

Buses continue to be the backbone of Chennai’s public transport network, carrying more than 35 lakh passengers every day. However, increasing traffic congestion has significantly affected travel times and service reliability.

A well-designed BRT system could help improve journey times, enhance commuter experience, and encourage more people to choose public transport.

Revival of a Shelved Proposal

The renewed initiative also revives a project that was previously abandoned despite extensive planning.

In 2019, Pallavan Transport Consultancy Services Limited (PTCSL) appointed ICRA Analytics Ltd to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a 120-km Bus Rapid Transit network covering seven corridors across Chennai. Although the DPR was completed, the proposal was later shelved without being implemented.

With CUMTA now seeking funding for a feasibility study, the proposed Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam corridor could become Chennai’s first Bus Rapid Transit System, marking a significant step toward faster, more reliable, and sustainable urban mobility.