The ‘Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus’ under construction in Kilambakkam on the outskirts of Chennai is set to be inaugurated early next year, according to Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) Minister P K Sekar Babu. Babu, along with Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises T M Anbarasan, and Chengalpet district Collector A R Rahul Nadh, inspected the progress of the bus terminus project on Monday. The bus terminus, which is being built over 86 acres at a cost of Rs 400 crore, should have been inaugurated a few months ago, but was delayed due to repeated instances of waterlogging during the monsoon season. Babu mentioned that the government planned to construct 1,700 meters of stormwater drains (SWD) to prevent waterlogging, and has already completed about 1,200 meters of the network within two and a half months. “We have set up all necessary facilities for passengers. The construction delays were primarily due to a lack of planning by the previous government. Despite challenges like floods, this government has successfully completed the work. The public will be able to use this terminus from next year,” Babu said. Once inaugurated, the terminus will be able to serve over 2,300 buses and more than one lakh passengers daily. Additionally, it offers several passenger amenities including a sitting lobby, hotels, shops, restrooms, and a police station.