A diagonal cross-city route connecting ICF / Perambur in the north to Besant Nagar beach in the south, passing through T. Nagar — Chennai’s largest retail hub. It links two of Chennai’s most distinct communities: the railway employee colony of ICF and the upscale beach suburb of Besant Nagar, via the city’s busiest shopping district
All 13 Stops with Landmarks and Local Context
Route 47A is a unique diagonal route threading through Chennai’s social geography — from the railway township of ICF to the cosmopolitan beach suburb of Besant Nagar. In between it passes through Kilpauk’s medical belt, Sterling Road’s institutional zone, T. Nagar’s retail paradise, Saidapet, and Adyar’s residential elegance.
Zone 1: ICF to Kilpauk Garden (Stops 1 to 4)
Stop 1 ICF (Integral Coach Factory Colony)
What it is
Origin terminus at India’s most significant railway manufacturing complex
About ICF
The Integral Coach Factory (est. 1955) in Perambur is the world’s largest rail coach manufacturer, producing over 4,000 coaches annually including LHB coaches, Vande Bharat trains, Metro coaches, and EMUs. ICF Colony is a self-contained township housing thousands of railway employee families
Key landmarks
ICF Colony bus terminus, ICF factory gates, ICF Hospital, ICF Railway Museum (public access — historic locomotives and coaches), ICF schools
Note
Route 47A is one of the most important bus links for ICF Colony residents to T. Nagar (shopping), Saidapet, and Adyar / Besant Nagar for beach access
Stop 2 Kilpauk Garden
What it is
Junction stop on New Avadi Road near the Kilpauk garden area
Key landmarks
Kilpauk Garden park, New Avadi Road junction, approaching Kilpauk Medical College
Note
Kilpauk Garden is a pleasant public park and a landmark for this portion of the route
Stop 3 Taylors Road (KMC area)
What it is
Kilpauk Medical College junction stop
Key landmarks
Kilpauk Medical College Hospital (KMC — major government teaching hospital), Pachaiyappa’s College (est. 1842 — one of South Asia’s oldest colleges), Institute of Mental Health (est. 1794)
Medical
KMC is a critical boarding point — ICF residents use Route 47A to reach KMC for medical care
Stop 4 Sterling Road / Meteorological Dept
What it is
Key junction on Sterling Road
Key landmarks
India Meteorological Department Chennai Regional Centre, Sterling Road zone — multiple hospitals and educational institutions
Zone 2: Vidyodaya to Saidapet — City Midpoint (Stops 5 to 7)
Stop 5 Vidyodaya
What it is
Educational area stop between Sterling Road and Pondy Bazaar
Key landmarks
Vidyodaya School (Tamil medium school) area, residential and educational zone of Kodambakkam / Nungambakkam approach
Stop 6 Pondy Bazaar (T. Nagar)
What it is
The heart of Chennai’s largest and busiest retail district — one of the most important stops on Route 47A
About Pondy Bazaar
Pondy Bazaar (officially Thyagaraya Road) is Tamil Nadu’s busiest retail street, part of T. Nagar — a commercial area that generates an estimated Rs 5,000 crore per day in retail sales. Home to Saravana Stores, hundreds of textile shops, jewellers, electronics, and street food
Key landmarks
Pondy Bazaar, Saravana Stores complex (Tamil Nadu’s iconic retail chain), T. Nagar Murugan Temple, Brindavan Theatre area
Why it matters
ICF Colony residents and Kilpauk-belt professionals use Route 47A specifically for T. Nagar shopping access — a key function of this route
Stop 7 T. Nagar / Saidapet
What it is
T. Nagar and Saidapet approach — dual residential-commercial stops near the boundary
Key landmarks
T. Nagar Bus Depot, Panagal Park, T. Nagar market, Saidapet junction approach
Metro
T. Nagar Metro Phase 2 (Green Line extension) — verify operational status at cmrl.in
Zone 3: Saidapet to Adyar to Besant Nagar (Stops 8 to 13)
Stop 8 Saidapet
What it is
Major transit junction south of T. Nagar
Key landmarks
Saidapet bus stand, Saidapet Railway Station (suburban trains), DMS Junction, Teachers Training College
Rail
Suburban trains to Chennai Beach and Tambaram
Stop 9 Concorde (Race Course / Raj Bhavan area)
What it is
Landmark stop near the Race Course and Raj Bhavan
Key landmarks
Madras Race Club, Raj Bhavan (Tamil Nadu Governor’s residence), Park Hyatt Chennai, approaching Anna University
Stop 10 Engineering College (Anna University)
What it is
Anna University Campus stop — one of India’s premier engineering universities
About Anna University
Anna University (est. 1978) is one of India’s most prestigious technical universities, consistently ranked among India’s top 10 engineering institutions. The main campus in Guindy spans over 187 acres
Key landmarks
Anna University main campus gates, College of Engineering Guindy (CEG — est. 1794, one of Asia’s oldest engineering colleges), Anna University Museum, Anna University Press
Student note
Route 47A provides Anna University students from ICF Colony, Kilpauk, and T. Nagar direct campus access — a significant academic commuter function
Stop 11 Adyar BS (Adyar Bus Stand / OT)
What it is
Major Adyar bus terminus and interchange point
Key landmarks
Adyar Bus Stand, Adyar market, Adyar river bridge, Besant Nagar junction approach
Connections
Multiple routes from Adyar OT to Tambaram, Velachery, T. Nagar, and Broadway
The southern terminus — one of Chennai’s most desirable upscale residential suburbs, famous for Elliott’s Beach
About Besant Nagar
Besant Nagar is named after Annie Besant, the Irish-British Theosophist who played a significant role in India’s independence movement and lived in Chennai. The suburb is characterised by wide tree-lined avenues, the Theosophical Society campus (one of the world’s most beautiful gardens), upscale residences, and the famous Elliott’s Beach
Key landmarks
Elliott’s Beach (Besant Nagar Beach) — a 1.7 km beach popular for evening walks, known for its food stalls and the Velankanni Church at one end. Adyar Bakery (a beloved local institution), Murugan Idli Shop (famous for filter coffee), Theosophical Society Chennai (large estate with a 400-year-old banyan tree and Adyar River frontage)
Heritage
The Theosophical Society campus in Adyar (adjacent to Besant Nagar) is one of the world’s most serene garden estates, housing the Adyar Library with one of the world’s finest collections of manuscripts on theosophy and Eastern religions
Bus Fare Chart for Route 47A
Route 47A operates as an ordinary service. Minimum fare Rs 6. All fares include cess of Rs 1.
Stage
Ordinary (Rs)
Express (Rs)
Deluxe (Rs)
Night (Rs)
1
6
8
12
10
2
7
10
14
12
3
8
11
16
14
4
9
13
18
16
5
10
14
20
18
6
11
16
22
20
7
12
17
24
22
8
13
19
26
24
9
14
20
28
26
10
15
22
30
28
11-12 (Full route)
16
23
32
30
Practical Fare Guide
ICF to Kilpauk / KMC (approx. 4 km): Rs 7 to Rs 9 ICF to T. Nagar / Pondy Bazaar (approx. 12 km): Rs 9 to Rs 13 ICF to Adyar OT (approx. 17 km): Rs 11 to Rs 15 ICF to Besant Nagar (21.8 km, full route): Rs 12 to Rs 17 Monthly pass: Rs 2,000 unlimited MTC pass covers Route 47A
Who Uses Route 47A
ICF Employees and Families to T. Nagar Shopping
T. Nagar is Chennai’s retail capital. ICF Colony residents are among the heaviest users of Route 47A specifically for T. Nagar shopping trips, given that the route terminates at Pondy Bazaar before continuing south.
Anna University Students from ICF / Kilpauk Belt
Route 47A provides a direct connection from ICF Colony and Kilpauk to Anna University — one of the route’s most important educational commuter functions.
Besant Nagar Residents to City Centre
Besant Nagar residents use Route 47A for access to T. Nagar, Saidapet, KMC, and the Sterling Road institutional belt without transfers.
Beach Visitors from North Chennai
On weekends and public holidays, ICF Colony and Perambur residents use Route 47A for a day at Elliott’s Beach — one of the more enjoyable beach-visit routes in Chennai’s MTC network.
Traveller Tips
Route 47A’s 10-minute frequency makes it highly reliable. At T. Nagar (Pondy Bazaar), you can transfer to many routes for Adyar, Velachery, Tambaram, and CMBT.
For Anna University students from ICF, this is the most direct MTC bus. Morning peak (7-9 AM) sees heavy boarding from ICF and Kilpauk — board early for a seat.
Besant Nagar / Elliott’s Beach is best visited during early morning (6-8 AM) or evening (5-7 PM) for pleasant weather. Route 47A is an economical way to reach the beach from ICF.
The Theosophical Society campus in Adyar is open to visitors — alight at Adyar OT or Adyar Depot. Check visiting hours before travel.
Verify timings at mtcbus.tn.gov.in. Moovit app for real-time tracking.
Last updated: April 2026. MTC may change route timings, stops, and fares without notice. Always verify current information at mtcbus.tn.gov.in before travel.
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