Chathram Bus Stand to get a facelift

TIRUCHI: After completing the expansion of the Central Bus Stand, the Tiruchi Corporation has now turned its attention to the Chathram satellite bus stand here.

The Corporation has decided to give a facelift to the Chathram Bus Stand at an investment of Rs.50 lakh. The bus stand, though in existence for the past couple of decades, was recognised officially as a bus stand only in 2005.

Even though it was recognised as a ‘D’ grade bus stand, it remains cramped for space and could hardly accommodate a dozen buses. A large number of mofussil buses, supposed to operate out of the bus stand, do not have parking bays forcing them to be parked on the roadside near the Kamaraj statue.

An ever bustling place surrounded by commercial complexes, business establishments, roadside eateries and fruit vendors, the Chathram bus stand and its vicinity presents a picture of disorderliness, struggling to cope with the ever increasing movement of travelling public and vehicles.

The few bus shelters inside the bus stand have been damaged exposing passengers to sun and rain. Corporation officials said that all this would change soon. The civic body has planned to raise the level of the platforms and of the bus stand to prevent flooding during the monsoon. Modern platforms, with seating arrangements, would also be provided. All the damaged shelters would be replaced, corporation officials said.

Once the works were completed, movement of buses would be streamlined, a senior Corporation official said.