Stagnant sewage at Tiruvannamalai bus terminus is irritating commuters

Water pressure on the pipe may have caused the valve to burst, officials say. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Commuters had to wade through stagnant sewage at the ₹34 crore state-of-the-art bus terminus on Chennai – Tindivanam Road in Tiruvannamalai on Sunday due to a burst pipe.

Commuters said the floor is slippery and muddy due to the stagnation of sewage near the bus bays. “After worshiping at Arunachaleswara temple on Pournami day, we reached the terminus to board a bus to our hometown in Villupuram. Stagnant sewage is a health hazard for commuters who come with their children,” said K. Mangalam, a commuter.

Commuters said apart from passengers, buses also have to pass stagnant sewage to reach the bus bays.

Officials of the Tiruvannamalai Corporation, which manages the facility, said the purpose of the terminus was to provide bus connectivity for devotees. Between 80,000 and 1.2 lakh visitors come to the city during weekdays, mainly for worship at the Arunachaleswara Temple. During Chitra Pournami, around 25 thousand devotees gather in the city for worship.

Corporation officials said the civic staff was alerted to the leak by a timer at the terminus. The valve may have burst due to water pressure on the pipe. The damaged valve and pipe were repaired to prevent further seepage of sewage. “Stagnant sewage was being pumped out using motor pumps. Such burst valves in pipelines happen regularly. Efforts have been made to ensure sanitation in the facility,” S. Selva Balaji, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told The Hindu.

Published – 31 May 2026 23:22 IST