Chennai City Police have launched an intensified surveillance operation at the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) in Koyambedu, deploying drones and round-the-clock CCTV monitoring to clamp down on theft, drug trafficking, and other criminal activity at one of South India's busiest transport hubs. The crackdown, initiated on 9 June, is being carried out under the direct orders of Chennai Commissioner of Police A. Amalraj.

Key Developments

Special police teams conducted extensive inspections across the terminus and its surrounding areas during night hours, targeting locations identified as vulnerable to criminal activity. Officers questioned and searched individuals found loitering under suspicious circumstances as part of preventive policing measures aimed at strengthening passenger safety.

According to police sources, at least 15 individuals were detained for questioning during a single day of the operation. All were released after verification and inquiry, upon furnishing written undertakings to maintain lawful conduct.

Drone Surveillance in Action

A defining feature of the operation is the use of drone technology. Police personnel trained in aerial surveillance monitored passenger movement and activity across the bus stand and adjoining areas from above, enabling faster identification of suspicious behaviour and quicker response to potential threats. This marks a notable escalation in the technological tools deployed for public-space policing in Chennai.

Simultaneously, dedicated teams reviewed footage from the terminus's extensive CCTV network, cross-referencing recordings from multiple locations to track movements, gather intelligence, and flag persons behaving suspiciously.

Why CMBT Was Targeted

CMBT is one of the largest bus terminals in South India, connecting Chennai with districts across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. The terminus handles more than 1 lakh passengers on an average day, with footfall surging to between 3 and 4 lakh passengers during weekends, holidays, and festival seasons — making it a prime target for criminal elements seeking to exploit large, transient crowds.

This comes amid a broader push by the Chennai City Police to modernise law enforcement at crowded public spaces, a strategy that has gained urgency as urban transport hubs across India have seen a rise in petty crime and drug-related offences.

What Comes Next

Police authorities have indicated that similar technology-driven surveillance operations will continue in the coming weeks, with a sustained focus on maintaining public order and ensuring a secure travel environment. The operation signals a shift toward data-led, aerial-assisted policing at major transit nodes — a model other city police forces are watching closely.