The Coimbatore Corporation will, in the next few days, approach the State Highways Department for the proposed Gandhipuram flyover design.
The Corporation was of the view that studying the design of the flyover was necessary to design its integrated bus stand, coming up at Gandhipuram.
According to sources, designing the flyover will help it understand where the pillars are positioned and where the landings are so as to design its integrated bus stand in such a way that they both complement one another.
Once the Corporation gains access to the flyover, it will present the same to the consultant it had engaged for the purpose. The consultant, in turn, will engage with officers from a host of departments who will provide inputs in the new bus stand’s design.
The sources say that the consultant will work with, apart from the Highways Department, Transport Department, Transport Corporation, City Police, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation and a few others.
The consultant will also tell the Corporation if the proposed bus stand has to be operated on the built-operate-transfer model or completely by the Corporation, keeping in mind the financial implications. As part of the job, the consultant will also propose how the existing mofussil bus stand that is on the western side of Dr. Nanjappa Road can be better utilised.
At present, the plan is to convert it into a shopping complex.
The sources say that the Corporation has conceived of the bus stand in such a way that it can hold 140 buses, have a shopping complex, four-wheeler and two-wheeler parking space, passenger amenities, etc.
Once the study is complete, the Corporation will move forward to commission a detailed project report. At present, the Corporation is spending close to Rs. 10 lakh for the consultation.
The Corporation proposes to acquire the Coimbatore Central Prison grounds to expand the Coimbatore bus stand by integrating the two other bus stands that are in Gandhipuram in the vicinity.
