Coimbatore corporation to propose to develop bus terminal and truck yard at Vellalore

Coimbatore: The Coimbatore corporation plans to propose a dual concept of a bus terminal and a truck yard to be developed at Vellalore. This decision is followed by the recent inspection conducted by K Vignesh, the newly elected MLA of the Kinathukadavu constituency.Corporation commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran stated that a draft of the Rs 148crore estimate has been sent to the Directorate of Municipal Administration.He said, “The detailed report preparation is in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of this week. Meanwhile, to address the key criteria of approach roads, we plan to write to the highways to widen the 1.5km stretch on Chettipalayam Road. Other connectivity issues will also be rectified, including transport arrangements. For better utilisation, we propose a dual concept, but if the govt decides to make it completely a bus terminal, DPR will also be submitted. With this plan, we aim to at least operate mofussil buses to the southern districts.”Commenting on this proposal, consumer activist K Kathirmathiyon said the dual concept would not be viable. He said, “If they bring in trucks, then ultimately the purpose of the bus terminal is shrunk. The representatives should be informed of the timeline of this project, from its initiation to the reason for its abandonment. Simultaneously, the corporation should address the issues of health hazards due to the dump yard present adjacent to the location and then convert all roads leading to the terminal into four lanes for better connectivity.”Similarly, objecting to the development of a tract yard, K S Mohan, secretary of the Kurichi-Vellalore Pollution Prevention Action Committee, said, “Only a bus terminal can bring development for this area like Saravanampatti. Moreover, this location easily connects the Podanur railway station, which is being developed into a second railway terminal. It also connects the Trichy Road, the Avinashi Road, the Airport Road and the Coimbatore Junction railway station. So, the corporation should acquire land in two narrow stretches, the Podanur Church Road and the Chettipalayam Road, and expand it for feasible movement of buses.”(With inputs from Bhavani M)