Tiruchi City Corporation has embarked on the task of readying a fresh proposal for construction of a bus terminus at Panchakarai along the Coleroon bank in Srirangam.
Although a proposal for the establishment of the new bus terminus at Panchakarai near Yatri Nivas was mooted by the civic body, which obtained approval from the Corporation Council over six years ago, the project failed to take off and has remained in cold storage since then.
A Detailed Project Report was then prepared for the proposed bus project.
In view of repeated public demand and taking into account rising vehicle density, the Corporation is coming out with a fresh proposal to construct the bus terminus on six acres ofl and at the same place mooted earlier.
The fresh proposal is being given shape in view of cost revision and evaluation of traffic flow in Srirangam.
Under the fresh proposal, the cost worked out for construction of the bus terminus will come to ₹35 crore, says a senior civil body official.
The Corporation has planned to forward the proposal to the State government in a month's time, the officer added.
The Coleroon River Bank Road serves as entry point to Srirangam and the exit point for many tourist vehicles that come from other destinations.
A private vacant site situated along the Salai road in Srirangam has been serving as a temporary parking lot for tourist buses and vans carrying devotees to Srirangam during festival period and on ordinary days. The vacant site becomes full during Vaikunta Ekadasi when the arrival of devotees to Srirangam peaks.
In the absence of dedicated parking lots, many private vehicles are parked along Thiruvadi Street and other streets nearby. Residents feel that if the Panchakarai spot gets clearance for construction of the bus terminus, the authorities concerned could consider operating shuttle services by operating mini buses to Srirangam from the proposed bus terminus.
