COIMBATORE: The proposed ₹35cr redevelopment of the Gandhipuram Central Bus Stand, one of the city’s busiest public transport hubs, is yet to take off, with the project awaiting administrative sanction from the department of municipal administration.A detailed project report (DPR) for the redevelopment was submitted to the department in July, but officials are yet to accord the necessary approval. In the absence of a decision, commuters continue to depend on the ageing terminal, where passenger amenities remain inadequate.The redevelopment plan envisaged demolishing the existing structure and constructing a modern terminal with improved passenger facilities. The proposal includes basement parking for around 2,014 two-wheelers and four bus platforms capable of handling about 70 buses.The delay comes amid wider uncertainty over Coimbatore’s long-pending integrated bus terminus plan. The earlier ₹168cr Vellalore project, proposed on about 61 acres to consolidate several existing bus terminals, had remained uncertain, but the change in govt has lit hope for the project.The Singanallur bus stand too is awaiting a major facelift. The corporation has proposed a ₹10cr renovation, including raising the bus stand surface by 1.5 feet to tackle recurring waterlogging and rainwater stagnation. The project was planned with improved passenger amenities and infrastructure, but implementation has been delayed.Singanallur remains an important eastern gateway for long-distance services towards Madurai, Trichy, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Tirunelveli and other southern destinations.With both terminals requiring substantial investment, commuters are now awaiting concrete timelines from the civic authorities.Commenting on this delay, AIADMK councillor R Prabhakaran said, “The project was proposed during the DMK period. Despite a change in power, such key projects remain stalled. The Gandhipuram central bus stand, which is more than 40 years old, is in bad condition. This govt should at least realise the significance of the proposed projects. These two govts are not much different because they will take steps only if a mishap occurs. There have been recent incidents of building collapse, and we don’t want the same here in our city.”
