A bus stand has been a felt need of the residents of Manapparai and a new work on its construction has been in full swing, with a large number of workers having been pressed into service for various units. The design of the bus stand has been drawn up to prevent encroachments.
Being a major commercial hub with the wholesale market in chillies, tamarind and groundnut, inadequate space for the bus stand in the town posed a hurdle to passengers and the bus drivers. Built in 1981, the old bus stand was demolished with space for buses shrinking because of encroachments.
The plinth area of the bus stand will be 7,950 square metres, and will accommodate 25 buses at a given time. Forty shops are under construction at the bus stand. More amenities will be provided to bus passengers. Waiting hall, toilet block, and vehicle shed will form part of the infrastructure.
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The bus stand, sanctioned by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa during announcement under Rule 110 on the floor of the Assembly, is being built at an estimate of Rs. 5 crore of which Rs. 4.5 crore had been sanctioned by the State government. The municipality contributes the remaining Rs. 50 lakh from out of its general funds, according to municipal sources.
Quality is ensured for the structure of the building. Water being one of the most important factors for the structural stability of a building, the municipal authorities had made special arrangements for the use of quality water for building the bus stand.
An old building, which originally housed the municipal office, is being demolished in a phased manner and the vacant site would form part of the bus stand.
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“It was decided to demolish the municipal office as it will facilitate more space for the bus stand. The municipal office has been shifted to its own new building constructed about a couple of years ago.”
At present, a temporary bus stand has been set up at the weekly cattle shandy area. But not all buses reach out to the shandy through the narrow and congested area.
“It results in the congestion of traffic on the main road particularly on the Manapparai – Tiruchi highway,” says a cross-section of the residents.
The construction of shops has been designed in such a way that the complex is located at the centre of the grounds.
The bus stand will accommodate 25 buses at a time
The government has sanctioned Rs. 5 crore for the work