The Hindu 14.04.2013
Coimbatore Corpn. reviews project report on integrated bus stand
The project is likely to cost the Government Rs. 120 crore
To be spread over 12.58 acres, the integrated bus stand
at Gandhipuram will be ready in about two-and-half year’s time if the
Coimbatore Corporation has its way.
The civic body
took the first step towards realising the new bus stand by reviewing the
detailed project report that the agency engaged for the purpose
submitted on Friday.
According to Mayor S.M.
Velusamy, the agency has submitted the report, which the Coimbatore
Corporation will forward to the State Government for funds.
The entire project is likely to cost the Government Rs. 120 crore.
The
Corporation will try to secure the Local Planning Authority funds to
meet a part of the expenditure, contribute around Rs. 30 crore from its
General Fund and then avail of the remaining money as loan or subsidy
from any of the State’s funding agencies.
Mr.
Velusamy says that the Corporation will move the Government to also take
possession of a portion of the Coimbatore Central Prison grounds, which
it was promised in lieu of the land in Vellalore which it gave to the
Home Department.
As per the detailed project report,
the bus stand will have fives lakh square feet, the ability to
accommodate 166 buses at any point in time and around 600 cars in the
multi-level car parking.
Of the 166 buses, 132 will be for the mofussil and the rest for the city buses.
The city buses will be accommodated in seven parking bays.
The
Mayor says that the design provision accommodates the proposed flyover
in Gandhipuram in that pedestrians will be able to directly reach the
bay they want to board buses.
Their movement on the ground will be limited to a great extent.
On
the first floor the bus stand will have shops — around 200, each
measuring approximately 220 sq.ft. It will have two entry points and
four exit points.
Deputy Commissioner S. Sivarasu
says that the civic body will take into confidence the Coimbatore City
Police in deciding the entry and exit points and also their number.
Plus, the civic body was also contemplating sharing the integrated bus
stand report with the public through its website for inviting
suggestions.