Corpn to install 3 precast bus shelters in the city

Taking a cue from the success story of a precast bus shelter installed by District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in the district collectorate complex here, Trichy Corporation has planned to erect three such ready-to-install bus shelters in the city. The precast structures made of reinforced concrete can be relocated entirely in case of road widening.

While it takes two to three weeks to establish a normal bus shelter roughly measuring about 150 square feet, it is said that the precast shelter prepared with M40 grade concrete could be installed in a couple of days. A precast model was installed for the first time in the district in January this year by DRDA near the district collectorate. The civic body officials said that the precast models save time and has the advantage of relocation. The precast bus shelter is a single mould and can be placed anywhere once the basement is flattened.

"It would take 10 days for preparing a precast bus shelter including the curing period. Since precast bus shelters do not need a basement, such shelters can be easily shifted to another place if authorities plan road expansion," K M Velumani, a manufacturer of precast structures, said. Sources said that such precast bus shelters can be erected through heavy machinery in a couple of days. It is estimated that a precast bus shelter of 150 square feet would cost Rs 7 lakh, the same amount to build a conventional bus shelter.

Trichy Corporation said that three such precast shelters would be established in the city including one at Arjun Nagar bus stop near Melakalkandarkottai in Ponmalai zone. As the existing bus stop in Arjun Nagar is in a shambles, officials said that the old structure would be dismantled before establishing a precast shelter. Provisions will also be made for firms to display advertisements with and without backlights. "Precast shelter will come up with a seating, advertisement, and bus route chart facilities. We have planned to establish such precast shelters in three spots," N Ravichandran, Commissioner, Trichy Corporation said.

Source