Planning a Chennai city tour? This new sightseeing double-decker bus could change your experience

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday inaugurated Chennai’s new air-conditioned double-decker sightseeing bus service, a tourism initiative designed to offer visitors a curated, time-efficient tour of the city’s prominent heritage, cultural and administrative landmarks.

The service, introduced by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), aims to strengthen organised urban tourism in the state capital. The project has received support from the Tamil diaspora in the United States, along with corporate social responsibility backing from a private company.

The launch ceremony took place at the Nandambakkam Trade Centre, marking the formal rollout of the service for tourists and city travellers. TTDC has secured all required permits and finalised the route for the initial phase.

The sightseeing tour will start from the TTDC office on Wallajah Road, a central point near several historic precincts. The circular route will cover key Chennai landmarks, including the Munro Statue on Anna Salai, Madras High Court, Reserve Bank of India building, Secretariat, Napier Bridge and Ezhilagam, before proceeding to Foreshore Estate along the Marina stretch. The bus will then return to the starting point via the DGP office.

The service is designed as a short-duration city tour ideal for tourists with limited time, first-time visitors, and those seeking a structured introduction to Chennai. Elevated seating on the double-decker bus is expected to provide panoramic views of heritage structures, arterial roads and the city’s coastline.

The tourism department will monitor passenger feedback during the trial phase and may expand routes, add more landmark stops and increase service frequency based on demand and operational feasibility.

The launch coincided with ongoing heritage and urban development initiatives along Kamarajar Salai by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and Greater Chennai Corporation. Tourism stakeholders believe the new sightseeing bus will complement these efforts by enhancing visitor engagement and showcasing Chennai’s architectural heritage and evolving public spaces.

With this initiative, the Tamil Nadu government aims to position Chennai as a more accessible, engaging and tourist-friendly urban destination.

IANS