Chidambaram – Connectivity
The transportation system in the district is already well
developed. Chidambaram, being one of the prominent tourist destinations in the
state, is well connected with all modern means of transport except air
transport. The district is accessible by both road and rail from the state
capital Chennai and other
major cities.
By Road
The Chidambaram municipality maintains 64.12 km
(39.84 mi) of road. The town has 8.44 km (5.24 mi) concrete
roads and 48.69 km (30.25 mi) bituminous road. A total of 5 km
(3.1 mi) of state highways is maintained by the State Highways Department
and 6 km (3.7 mi) by the National Highways Department.
It is located at a distance of 220 km (140 mi) from
Chennai, 335 km (208 mi) from Madurai, 375 km (233 mi)
from Rameswaram, 340 km
(210 mi) from Bangalore. The national
highway NH-45A (the Villupuram – Pondicherry -Cuddalore – Chidambaram - Nagapattinam
Highway) passes through Chidambaram.
The Cuddalore road, Pitchavaram Road, Sirkazhi Road,
Kattumanarkoil road and Old Bhuvanagiri road are the five main district roads
connecting Chidambaram to other cities of Tamil Nadu.
Chidambaram is served by town bus service, which provides
connectivity within the town and the suburbs.
Minibus service operated by private companies caters to the local
transport needs. The main bus stand is located in the heart of the town and has
46 bus bays.
The Tamil Nadu State
Transport Corporation operates daily services connecting various cities like Bangalore, Madurai, Palani, Salem, Thiruvannamalai, Velankanni, Rameswaram, Tiruppur, Karaikudi, Paramakudi, Sayalkudi, Mudukulathoor, Panruti, Vridhachalam, Erode, Mettur, chennai, Pondicherry, Tirupathur and Neyveli with
Chidambaram.
The State Express Transport Corporation operates long
distance buses connecting the town to important cities like Chennai, Coimbatore & Thoothukudi. Three wheelers, called autos are also a common public transport system.
By Train
Chidambaram railway
station is located in the rail head from Mayiladuthurai to Villupuram. There are daily express trains to Chennai, Rameswaram, Tirupathi, Cuddalore and Manamadurai.
By Air
Pondicherry Airport (PNY) is a nearest airport located around 66
kilometer away from Chidambaram. The airports at Tiruchirapalli (165 km)
and Chennai (215 km) are the nearest airports from Chidambaram. From
Tiruchirapalli, Indian Airlines flights can be taken to Chennai (Madras).
Chennai is connected to all the major cities in India and abroad through
regular flights.