Construction of the bus stand at Manapparai near here has been in full swing. Officials are confident that the work would be completed well before December this year.
The bus stand was a felt need of the residents of this area. Although it had one, it was built decades ago and did not cater to the needs of a large number of buses being operated from and via Manapparai. The strategic location of the town on the Tiruchi – Dindigul-Palani segment has been an important factor for the immediate construction of a new and more spacious bus stand.
The old bus stand, built in 1981, had been demolished altogether, facilitating provision of state-of-the-art infrastructure for the bus stand being built at an estimate of Rs. 5 crore.
Showers for the past few days affected the work but the work resumed thereafter. The plinth area of the bus stand is 7,950 square metres to accommodate 25 buses at a given time. A total of 27 shops are under construction. “Manapparai is a commercial area and bus stand accounts for a large number of shop-keepers,” says an official source, explaining the need for the amenities for the shop-keepers being provided at the bus stand.
Further, additional amenities are being provided to passengers that include a toilet block for men and women, waiting hall and vehicle shed. The bus stand was sanctioned by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa during announcement under Rule 110 on the floor of the Assembly.
While Rs. 4.5 crore has been sanctioned by the State government, the balance Rs. 50 lakh is contributed by the municipality from its general funds.
A ground-level concrete tank with a capacity of 35,000 litres had been built in the middle of the bus stand and water was brought by tankers. “The local ground water is not quite suited for construction of buildings and hence water is brought from outside,” an official said. An old building which originally housed the municipal office has been demolished for ensuring a more spacious bus stand.
Presently, a temporary bus stand has been set up at the weekly cattle shandy area.
