Nilambur: The Nilambur–Bathery bus service operated by Tamil Nadu, which offers passengers scenic views of coffee plantations, lush forests and the enchanting Naadukanichuram ghat, has completed half a century of operation.

This service is unique in that it is the only Tamil Nadu bus route that begins in Kerala, travels through Tamil Nadu, and concludes in another part of Kerala. Operated by the Gudalur depot, the bus covers a longer stretch within Kerala. Another notable feature is that it runs between two KSRTC depots at Nilambur and Bathery.

Originally managed by the Cheran Transport Corporation (CTC), the service is a daily lifeline for hundreds of passengers from the Nilgiris and Malappuram districts. It is also one of the most profitable routes for the Gudalur depot. The bus departs Nilambur at 6 am, reaches Gudalur by 8 am, then leaves Gudalur at 8. 30 am to arrive in Bathery by 10 am. It departs Bathery at 10.15 am and returns to Gudalur by 12 noon.

After routine maintenance and a crew change, it resumes service at 1 pm reaching Bathery by 2.45 pm. The next leg departs Bathery at 3.15 pm and arrives in Gudalur by 5.15 pm. The final trip of the day begins at 5.45 pm from Gudalur and concludes in Nilambur at 7.45 pm.

Except during the COVID-19 pandemic and occasional disruptions at Naadukanichuram, the service has operated without interruption. Prior to CTC’s launch of the Nilambur route, a private bus service had run through Naadukanichuram in the 1950s. The Rajalakshmi Motor Service (RLMS), owned by Malayalis settled in Ooty, operated to Kozhikode from Ootty via Manjeri.