The Coimbatore Corporation has revised its plan for the partially constructed bus stand at Vellalore, proposing to develop it as a dedicated terminal for buses bound for the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

The Corporation recently submitted the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the State government for approval. The proposed facility is estimated to cost ₹126 crore, against the earlier proposal for an integrated bus terminal estimated at ₹168 crore.

According to Corporation officials, the revised plan takes into account the proposed redevelopment of the Singanallur and Gandhipuram bus stands. Singanallur currently handles south-bound services. Once the Vellalore facility becomes operational, those services will be shifted there, while town and private bus services will continue to operate from Singanallur.

The terminal will initially have facilities to accommodate 64 buses. Its capacity will be expanded subsequently based on demand.

The facility will also have a commercial complex on the first floor. After government approval, the Highways Department is expected to take up the widening of the approach road to the terminal, officials said.

The Vellalore integrated bus stand project was originally launched during the previous AIADMK regime at an estimated cost of ₹168 crore. It was subsequently dropped during the DMK regime and is now proposed to be revived with a revised scope under the incumbent TVK-led government.

The Corporation had earlier taken up construction after an attempt to develop a bus port at the site under the Centre’s Bharatmala programme did not materialise.

Consumer activist K. Kathirmathiyon questioned the decision to revive the project without first addressing the concerns that had led to the earlier proposal being dropped. He said the earlier proposal had faced concerns over inadequate approach roads and potential health hazards from the nearby dump yard.

“If the Corporation is reviving the project, it should be in a position to explain how the earlier concerns have been addressed. Otherwise, it could face difficulties in defending the project if legal issues arise,” he said.

Mr. Kathirmathiyon also raised questions over the regulatory clearances for the project. He said the Corporation should obtain the necessary approvals from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) before proceeding further. DTCP scrutiny would cover, among other aspects, the site and land-use particulars, access-road arrangements and other planning requirements, he said.

He also pointed to the need for the project estimate to adequately provide for expansion of the approach road. Without the required approvals and infrastructure, the project could face difficulties in securing permanent utility connections, he said, citing the continuing temporary power connection at the redeveloped Ukkadam bus stand as an example.

Published - August 23, 2026 08:51 pm IST