The proposal to modernise the Chennai Contract Carriage Bus Terminus in Koyambedu, from where private bus services operate, may be shelved. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) will, however, carry out renovation work in the existing area of the terminus at a cost of nearly Rs. 4 crore.
The renovation will include removal of the damaged bituminous surface and re-laying of concrete roads at an estimated cost of Rs.2.9 crore and renovation of finger bays at a cost of Rs.1.02 crore.
There are indications that the 4-acre land adjacent to the Terminus might be used for “idle parking” government buses operating out of the CMBT. As per the earlier proposal, 250 bus bays were to be constructed in this area. The plan then envisaged a three-level bus bay, including a basement floor, with 81,749 sq-metre space. It also included the development of commercial space with retail supermarket, fast food centres, book and magazine shops and kiosks, chemists, restaurants, food court, health centre, showrooms, logistics and courier agencies. The cost of the project for redevelopment was estimated to be Rs. 219 crore and was proposed to be implemented using a public-private partnership model in which the private entity would design, finance, construct and transfer after a period of time.
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The existing terminus was inaugurated in August 2003. It has 68 boarding bus bays and 126 bays for idle parking, 51 travel agency offices, 22 shops and 14 passenger waiting halls with a capacity to seat 120 persons.